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2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement | New class waits out delay then enjoys moment
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- 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement | New class waits out delay then enjoys moment
CANTON— Welcome to Enshrinement Saturday.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement for the Class of 2024 features seven former NFL standouts — five defensive players, one wide receiver and one return specialist/receiver. The weather made them wait for their moment, just over 90 minutes, but they enjoyed it just the same when they each took center stage to speak.
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Here's everything you need to know about the Enshrinement and how it unfolded through our live updates.
Andre Johnson wraps up Hall of Fame Enshrinement as final speaker
The 2024 Enshrinement ends with Andre Johnson being the final class member to speak . He made seven Pro Bowls in a career spent mostly with the Houston Texans , surpassing 100 catches in a season five times and 1,000 yards receiving in a season seven times. Johnson led the league in catches twice and receiving yards per game three times.
More on Andre Johnson's enshrinement: Game-changing decision put NFL Hall of Famer Andre Johnson on track to a successful career
J.J. Watt watches the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement, Aug. 3, 2024.
J.J. Watt at Enshrinement for Andre Johnson
J.J. Watt has a few years to wait before his inevitable enshrinement. But the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is in Benson Stadium for Class of 2024 Hall of Famer Andre Johnson. Watt is in Johnson's family and friends section. Watt is eligible for the Hall's 2028 class.
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Julius Peppers speaking 6th during Hall of Fame ceremony
A double-member of two all-decade teams, Julius Peppers is speaking sixth. He made nine Pro Bowls, starring for the Panthers, Packers and Bears. He's the first player drafted by the Carolina Panthers to make the Hall of Fame. He had 10 seasons with at least 10 sacks and made the NFL All-Decade teams in the 2000s and 2010s after being the second overall pick in the 2002 draft.
More on Julius Peppers' enshrinement: Grateful Julius Peppers aims for hall-of-fame talent to extend beyond football
Patrick Willis next up on stage at Enshrinement
Patrick Willis speaks fifth Saturday. Thanks to his willingness to work hard , he needed just eight seasons with the 49ers to make seven Pro Bowls and be named All-Pro five times in earning a spot on the NFL All-2010s team.
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More on Patrick Willis' enshrinement: Hardship and determination paved way to Hall of Fame for linebacker Patrick Willis
Bears kick return star Devin Hester speaks 4th at Enshrinement
Devin Hester becomes the first Hall of Famer to be enshrined primarily for his work as a kick and punt returner. Hester made NFL All-Decade Teams for the 2000s and 2010s for his work as a return man. Hester returned 20 kicks or punts for touchdowns to set an NFL career record, passing Deion Sanders , who had 19.
More on Devin Hester's enshrinement: Hall of Fame Enshrinement: Devin Hester never doubted ability to impact football games
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Devin Hester shouts out Josh Cribbs for Hall of Fame induction
During his speech , Hester said while he may be he first return specialist in the Hall of Fame, he should not be the last. He mentioned both Josh Cribbs and Brian Mitchell as ones who should join him some day. Cribbs was an elite return man and kick coverage star for the Browns from 2005-12. Cribbs is on the NFL All-2000s and made three Pro Bowls.
Randy Gradishar takes the stage as Enshrinement's 3rd inductee of the ceremony
Randy Gradishar made his mark as a tackling machine for the Denver Broncos from 1974-83, leading their famed Orange Crush Defense. The 1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year made seven Pro Bowls.
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More on Randy Gradishar's enshrinement: Hall of Fame Enshrinement: Randy Gradishar thanks Archie Griffin for biggest day of his young life
Hall of Fame does special ceremony for Steve McMichael to unveil his bust at his home
Steve McMichael was unable to attend the ceremony or any of the festivities this week. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2020. ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
With him unable to attend Saturday, the Hall shipped his bust to his home in the Chicago area where his wife Misty McMichael unveiled it for him , surrounded by his family, friends and former Bears teammates.
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Misty McMichael represented her husband earlier this week in Canton is hoping to raise more awareness for ALS.
Steve McMichael starred in the 1980s with the Bears, an anchor up front of their ferocious defense, winning one Super Bowl together.
More on Steve McMichael's enshrinement: Hall of Fame: 'Football heaven' as the Bears' Steve McMichael endures the hell of ALS
Michael Jordan listens to Dwight Freeney give his speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Canton.
Dwight Freeney speaking first, Michael Jordan at Enshrinement
Dwight Freeney spoke first . His family and friends section includes Michael Jordan today.
Freeney was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl champ and a member of the NFL's All-2000s team.
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Dwight Freeney opens Enshrinement: Battling adversity was a major theme of Dwight Freeney's Hall of Fame enshrinement speech
Enshrinement underway, as Class of 2024 is introduced and takes the stage
The seven-man Class of 2024 began being introduced at 1:36 p.m. ET, taking the stage as their names were called. With that, the Enshrinement is underway after a delay of 96 minutes.
Enshrinement getting set to start
After a delay of more than 90 minutes, the 2024 Enshrinement is expected to begin soon.
Gates open at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for 2024 Enshrinement
At 1:12 p.m. ET the stadium gates opened for the Enshrinement. The start of the ceremony has been delayed more than an hour because of the storms Saturday morning.
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton sits empty Saturday morning because of poor weather. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony was delayed because of heavy rain. Aug. 3, 2024
Start of Hall of Fame Enshrinement remains delayed
The start Hall of Fame Enshrinement remains delayed . The earliest it could start, as of 12:50 p.m., would be at 2 p.m.
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Enshrinement continues to be in delay and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium gates still at least half hour away from opening
Hall officials said lightning at 12:08 p.m. will delay the opening of the stadium gates at least another half hour, as the start of the Enshrinement continues to be on hold.
Rain poured and delayed the enshrinement ceremony in 2024 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Severe Canton, Ohio weather will delay the start of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement
The Enshrinement's start will be delayed today, as several storms with heavy rain are moving through Greater Canton late Saturday morning.
The Hall tweeted out the following: "Due to heavy rain in the area, the start time for Enshrinement of the Class of 2024 will be delayed. More details will be provided as they become available."
Michael Jordan is in Canton for the Hall of Fame Enshrinement
Iconic Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is in Canton today for the Enshrinement. The star of the Olympic Dream Team and six-time NBA champ is here in support of Class of 2024 enshrinee Dwight Freeney , who is a close friend.
Exterior view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame before the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans play in the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Aug 1, 2024.
The Rock, too, in Canton for the Enshrinement?
Michael Jordan might not be alone in the category of non-football icons attending the Enshrinement. The Rock, too, could be in attendance. The Rock — Dwayne Johnson — did play college football at the University of Miami (Fla.), but has gained far greater fame as a wrestler, actor and entertainer (among his many titles). Two players from The U are in the Class of 2024, Devin Hester and Andre Johnson. Both, though, starred there a decade after The Rock.
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Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner: Ex-Browns among record number of Hall of Famers at dinner. Who drew biggest ovation?
2024 NFL Hall of Fame Class - Who will be enshrined Saturday?
The Class of 2024 features Dwight Freeney , Randy Gradishar , Devin Hester , Andre Johnson , Steve McMichael , Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis .
What channel is the Hall of Fame ceremony on?
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Time:Noon, ET
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Channels: ESPN, NFL Network ( Watch FREE with Fubo )
Here's what else you need to know about today's Enshrinement.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement speech order
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Dwight Freeney
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Steve McMichael
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Randy Gradishar
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Devin Hester
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Patrick Willis
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Julius Peppers
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Andre Johnson
Enshrinees are asked to keep their remarks to about 10 minutes each, similar to recent ceremonies.
Exterior view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame before the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans play in the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Aug 1, 2024.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement presenters
The presenters for each member of the Class of 2024 are:
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Freeney – Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner & CEO
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Gradishar – Tom Jackson, Randy's former Denver Broncos teammate
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Hester – Juanita Brown, Devin's mother
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Johnson – Gary Kubiak, Andre's former Houston Texans head coach
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McMichael – Jarrett Payton, Steve's longtime friend and sports anchor
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Peppers – Carl Carey, Julius' longtime friend, mentor and agent
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Willis – Ernicka Willis, Patrick's sister
Hall of Fame busts exhibit inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Aug 1, 2024.
ESPN's Chris Berman is Hall of Fame Enshrinement master of ceremonies
ESPN personality Chris Berman will return as the master of ceremonies for the enshrinement, continuing a role in which he has served for more than two decades.
Pro Football Hall of Fame parade 2024 starts the day
The Canton Repository Grand Parade , which runs along Cleveland Avenue in downtown Canton, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. The parade features the new enshrinees, returning Hall of Famers, 10 giant helium balloons, marching bands, more than a dozen colorful floats and dance troupes along the 2.2-mile route.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Canton Repository Grand Parade
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Just catching up on this year's Enshrinement festivities. Here's what you missed Friday.
Coach Prime in Canton: Devin Hester gets gold jacket from Deion Sanders
The Hall's Enshrinee Gold Jacket Dinner can be an emotional moment for the new Hall of Famers when they get their gold jacket. The emotions increase when legends are the ones presenting the jacket.
Just ask Devin Hester. The Class of 2024 enshrinee cried as Hall of Famer Deion Sanders hugged Hester before giving him the gold jacket. Sanders took a break from his job as Colorado football coach to be in Canton for Friday's dinner.
Devin Hester, left, cries as he hugs Deion Sanders at the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame's Enshrines Gold Jacket Dinner at Canton Memorial Civic Center, Aug. 2, 2024. Hester received his gold jacket from Sanders.
Hall of Famers take a walk in downtown Canton, break bread at Ray Nitschke Luncheon, meet with meda
The Pro Football Hall of Famer Walk & Photo Op opened the day Friday, as NFL legends started at the intersection of Market Avenue and Third Street S and proceeded to Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
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Later, the new class attended their first Ray Nitschke Luncheon with returning Hall of Famers. Dwight Freeney the lunch "sensory overload" as he took in the scene, including seeing Ronnie Lott.
"I'm looking at his hand, trying to see if his pinkie is still there," Freeney said with a laugh. "I'm like, 'Oh, man, he's a beast.' You just see guys: Mean Joe Greene, Warren Sapp. I'm sitting there like, 'Man, I wish I had Warren Sapp as a D-tackle,' and (thinking about) how much havoc you can cause in the backfield."
Enshrinee Julius Pepper speaks to media at the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Famer walk and Photo Op in Canton. Friday, August 02, 2024.
Not long after that, the Class of 2024 filtered through the lobby of The Canton Repository to meet with media, many from out of town to cover the Enshrinement.
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Andre Johnson said he was enjoying his time in Canton.
"It's been amazing," he said. "Everybody has made me feel very welcome. Other people have always told me how good things are here and I've had just a great experience this week."
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony updates, schedule
