Two Firsts as 'Knocks' Enter New Era

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has been open since 1963, honoring the heroes of the Game becoming Pro Football Hall of Famers – arguably the greatest honor in sports.

For the first two decades of the Hall’s existence, a news release and phone calls let each class member know his fate. Starting in the 1980s, Hall of Famers went to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii for a weekend of activities, including the introduction of the class at halftime of the game.

The first nationally televised unveiling of a class occurred with a live news conference in 2008.

In 2014, NFL Network aired a two-hour national show during which then-President Steve Perry came to the stage to announce the cutdowns from 15 to 10. Several members of the new class were interviewed; others were called.

The process then moved to the “Knocks on the Door” in 2015, when David Baker, then in his second year as the Hall’s president, walked down hotel hallways to knock on doors following the election process on the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

Early in 2020, Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson were surprised on back-to-back days on national television as FOX and CBS broadcast NFL playoff games. Due to COVID safety protocols, the Hall of Famer’s elected to the Class of 2021 were surprised at their homes.

This year, new Hall President Jim Porter reached out to several Hall of Famers to gauge their interest in knocking on the doors of their future teammates joining the Hall as the Class of 2022. The response was overwhelmingly positive. 

Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz shared a story that he once told Hall teammate Deacon Jones that he found out by phone call that he had been elected. Deacon’s response: “We have a lot of Hall of Famers in the media. Why not let notify them notify future teammates!” 

Tricky logistics complicated the plans to create the “surprises” for each member of the Class of 2022: six Hall of Famers, each traveling a day in advance of their knock, all within a three-day window; two knocks per day over five cities.

But every Hall of Fame “Door Knocker” made it a priority.

Geographical routing started in Atlanta, home of Richard Seymour. First to knock was his Patriots teammate and close friend Ty Law.

🎥 Watch Richard Seymour's Knock:

As Law, two camera crews and Porter approached Seymour’s home, Law noticed a Georgia Bulldogs flag along the driveway. He pulled it out and mockingly stomped on it.

“My man is now going to Canton. He doesn’t need this,” Law said.

A few seconds after Law knocked, Seymour opened the door. He was so stunned, it was evident he not only was surprised but couldn’t comprehend why Law was at his home.

After a long pause, Seymour said, “What? … What? … Why are you wearing a gold jacket? What are you doing here.”

Law replied: “You are now with us. Welcome to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.” 

Seymour’s eyes widened with misty tears, and the two men embraced as Ty called him “Seyzaleez.”

Law explained that his locker room nickname for himself was T-Leezy, a knockoff from Little Wayne’s “Wheezy,” Kayne West’s “Yeezy” and Drake’s Dreezy.” Throw in “Seymour,” and now you know.

Seymour’s family then came up behind him, and as they embraced, Richard said, “I thought this was a Zoom call. Who did this? You got me!” 

He realized the enormity of this life-changing moment.

“I am humbled and blessed to have had great support from my family and would not be here without great teammates. I want them to know how much I owe to them,” he said. 

Everyone moved into the house for a champagne toast (suggested by Law). Later, the two men went outside on the front steps for their victory cigars and to reminisce. 

Law stepped away to get his bags to bring them to the house, where the two men spent the afternoon celebrating. As he was walking back to the house, he replaced the Georgia Bulldogs flag.

“I’m OK with this,” he said. “Seyzaleez now gets a Hall of Fame gold flag.”