Celebrating the Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Mike Tomlin, Jason Garrett, Devin McCourty and Maria Taylor discuss the inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, celebrating the careers of Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.
Video Transcript
And let's start with that quarterback.
He's a first ballot Hall of Famer, brought the Saints their one and only Super Bowl title, 13-time Pro Bowler.
Then there's Larry Fitzgerald, also a first ballot Hall of Famer.
He spent his entire career at Arizona, and Luke Kuechly, at 35, second youngest Hall of Famer inducted, and that's behind Gale Sayers.
Meanwhile, Adam Vinatieri, one of the clutchest kickers in NFL history, a four-time Super Bowl champ.
And then there's Roger Craig, the OG with the flat top.
First player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.
Jason, let's get into this class, and what kind of stands out to you about these five men?
You know what strikes me about these guys, obviously all amazing athletes, but if you go to the Combine, they don't wow you physically with their size or their speed or their vertical jump.
That's not these guys.
But what's elite about them?
Football instincts, football intelligence, their preparation, the attention to detail.
Their technique is impeccable.
These guys really knew how to play, and if you think about their careers, the production that's a result of that approach, really unmatched.
Every one of these guys among the best at their position in league history.
So true.
I remember I went to an NFLPA meeting one time, and I see Adam Vinatieri.
I'm like, "Oh, he must work for the PA.
I wonder who that guy is."
It was Adam Vinatieri, the m- clutchest kicker of all time.
I, I agree with you, Jason.
These guys, they did it by going out there and being great football players.
Luke Kuechly was teach tape for every linebacker for a decade, and still now watched a film with so many guys.
I tell you what captures my attention is the stat- statistics.
I mean, you're talking Drew Brees, you're talking 80,000 passing yards, the number two passer of all time.
Larry Fitzgerald, the number two receiver of all time.
Roger Craig, the first 1,000/1,000 rusher.
Man, these guys have statistics that are worthy of being here.
You know, the other thing for me though is their passion for the game, their obvious love for the game.
Coach Drew Brees in the Pro Bowl, Dak Prescott's our starting quarterback.
Brees was one of the backups.
You know, early on in practice, Prescott's in the huddle calling plays, and I'm kind of listening in.
I feel this guy right next to me.
It's Brees.
He's ear hustling.
He's in the huddle listening to what Dak is saying.
He's calling the plays.
Dak takes the team to the line of scrimmage, Brees steps back and he mimics the plays.
He did it every day, every practice, all week long, and I'm thinking to myself, "This is year 15, probably his 10th Pro Bowl."
I'm looking at the other Cowboys.
They're, "Hey, watch this guy."
"You wanna be a Hall of Famer, this is the approach."
Uh-huh.
I, I tell you, that's what I think about this class, but every single guy here in Canton, Ohio, they're here because of their talents- but they're also here because of their unique process and unique relationship with the game.
There's a lot of talented people that play football, but there are no shortcuts to having a bust in Canton, Ohio, and usually their journey has been an interesting one.
And what I love about these guys is that story you told about Drew Brees, when he did that, his teammates followed.
I remember Brandin Cooks, he's running down on those fake passes acting like he's catching the ball.
These guys are great players, but awesome leaders.
Yeah.
You guys kind of set it up too.
It feels like the people's Hall of Fame class.
Like you said with Adam Vinatieri, maybe you thought he worked for the NFL- but there's a kid somewhere saying, "I'm 6' and-" Yeah, absolutely "I might become one of the most efficient passing quarterbacks in the league."
I could throw for 80,000 yards too.
Hey, maybe I can do it too.
That's what's happening here as we celebrate the five men that will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
