June Hall of Famer Great Days

There are 14 June birthdays of Pro Football Hall of Famers. Yes we honor them for that anniversary, but more importantly, they honor us with their stories of inspiration, insight and lessons that is their unique way of promoting the values of the game, preserving its history, celebrating excellence everywhere and honoring the heroes in their life whom they needed to get to Canton.

These are the short videos, produced specifically for social media, from exclusive HOF Productions of biographies, campaigns, HOF speeches and material from HOF Archives. Jerry Kramer on Herb Adderley, a tribute to Dan Dierdorf from his broadcast colleagues, Vince Lombardi diagramming on a chalkboard the “Sucker Play,” Shannon Sharpe and John Elway on “Drive, Determination and Hard Work” and last, but not least, one of the great HOF speeches in history: LaDainian Tomlinson, “I’m of mixed race and my story is America’s story.”

Only from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, no one else.

Mark your calendars for a month of Hall of Famer Great Days.

June 3, Emmitt Thomas’ Enshrinement Speech – His love of God … his grandfather, his hero, taught him about love religion hard work and respect … Even as amazing as his playing career, he was an NFL coach for 38 years.

June 8, Herb Adderely – Jerry Kramer’s exclusive interview with HOF Productions. He gave a superb thumbnail summary of the other 13 Green Bay Packers Hall of Famers from the 1960s dynasty, including this one on Adderley.

June 10, Dan Fouts’ Enshrinement Speech – “I’m the luckiest man in the world” and an ode to his teammates and parents.

June 11, Vince Lombardi – The master of chalkboard plays diagrams the success of the “Sucker Play” with perfect execution by seven future Hall of Famer’s on offense.

June 11, Joe Montana – With Chris Berman Paul Hornung and Franco Harris behind Montana when he gives his speech, Joe says, “I realize now that being up here now is not the end, it is a new beginning with a new team, the greatest team ever.”

June 13, Red Grange – A movie tone, two-minute drill on Red Grange’s famous barnstorming tour in front of huge crowds that is credited with saving the NFL from bankruptcy during the Depression, including an interview with the “Galloping Ghost.”

June 17, Dermontti Dawson’s Enshrinement Speech – “Live with Purpose;” live, play with passion and honor.

June 18, Bruce Smith’s Enshrinement Speech – One’s Value in Life is the willingness to extend ourselves in service to all.

June 20, Len Dawson’s Enshrinement Speech – The seventh son of a seventh son from nearby Alliance, Ohio, Canton was home to him always. “Canton is some town!”

June 22, Kurt Warner’s Enshrinement Speech – Life is not fair, but we get to choose what we want to do with those few moments to make an impact. A movie on Warner to be filmed this fall will be released next year.

June 23, LaDainian Tomlinson’s Enshrinement Speech – One of the greatest speeches at the Hall of Fame. “I’m of mixed race, and my story is America’s story.”

June 26, Shannon Sharpe’s three “D’s,” Determination, Dedication and Discipline. – “Don’t walk after your dreams, chase them.”

June 28, John Elway’s ode to his father – Stanford head football coach Jack Elway taught his son to appreciate and respect the game and to never give up.

June 29, Dan Dierdorf – As the 2015 Merlin Olsen Luncheon honoree, shout-outs for Dan came from broadcasting colleagues Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Joe Buck, Dick Enberg, Lesley Visser and Greg Gumbel.