Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote Its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere
OL
“It was special. An offensive lineman doesn’t really have stats for himself, so any time you can get the rushing record or a touchdown record like that it’s big for us too.”
(Michigan)...6'4'', 315...First-round pick (17th player overall) in 2001 NFL Draft … Named to NFL’s All-Rookie team … Paved way for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander’s 1,880 yards and NFL record 28 touchdowns, 2005 … Named All-Pro six times (twice with Seattle, four times with Minnesota) … Voted to seven consecutive pro bowls … Twice chosen as NFL alumni offensive lineman of the year (2006, 2009) … Named to NFL All-Decade Team of 2000s … Born November 1, 1977 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Steve Hutchinson, a 6’4”, 315-pound guard out of Michigan, was drafted in the first round (17th player overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He started all 16 games at left guard during his rookie season and cleared the path for running back Shaun Alexander to rush for 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hutchinson’s efforts earned him All-Rookie honors.
After missing the final 12 games of the 2002 season with a broken leg, Hutchinson returned in 2003 and embarked on a streak of 123 consecutive starts. That season he also earned the first of six first-team All-Pro selections during his career, and helped lead the Seahawks to a playoff appearance.
Hutchinson continued to lead the way for Seattle’s high-powered offense that resulted in back-to-back NFC West Division titles in 2004 and 2005. He paved the way for Alexander to earn the Associated Press’ NFL MVP honors in 2005 after rushing for a team-record 1,880 yards and setting an NFL record with 28 touchdowns (27 rushing). The Seahawks total offense that season ranked second in the NFL and the team made its first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
The Minnesota Vikings signed the All-Pro guard as a transition-tag free agent in 2006. He made an immediate impact in his new surroundings and was named the NFL Alumni Offensive Linemen of the Year in his first season with the Vikings. In 2008, he led the way for Adrian Peterson to set a then-franchise record for rushing yards in a season (1,760) and become the first Vikings player to win a league rushing title. The next season, with Hutchinson again winning NFL Alumni Offensive Linemen of the Year honors, the Vikings claimed a second straight division title and advanced to the NFC championship game.
In all, Hutchinson earned seven straight Pro Bowl berths (2004-2010) and was a first-team All-Pro selection six times (2003, 2005-2009). He was named All-NFC six times (2003-07, 2009) and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Games Played:
2001 Seattle..................................... 16
2002 Seattle....................................... 4
2003 Seattle..................................... 16
2004 Seattle..................................... 16
2005 Seattle..................................... 16
2006 Minnesota................................. 16
2007 Minnesota................................. 16
2008 Minnesota................................. 16
2009 Minnesota................................. 16
2010 Minnesota................................. 11
2011 Minnesota................................. 14
2012 Tennessee................................ 12
Career Total.................................... 169
Championship Games
2005 NFC – Seattle Seahawks 34, Carolina Panthers 14
Hutchinson started at left guard.
2009 NFC – New Orleans Saints 31, Minnesota Vikings 28 (OT)
Super Bowls
Super Bowl XL – Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 2003 (AP, PFWA, SN) · 2005 (AP, PFWA, SN) · 2006 (PFWA, SN) · 2007 (AP, PFWA, SN, US) · 2008 (AP, PFWA, SN) · 2009 (AP, SN)
All-Pro Second Team: 2004 (AP) · 2006 (AP)
All-NFC: 2003 (PW) · 2004 (PW) · 2005 (PW) · 2006 (PW) · 2007 (PW) · 2009 (PW)
Pro Bowls
(7) – 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Awards and Honors
· 2006 NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year
· 2009 NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year
· NFL All-Decade Team of 2000s
Year-by-Year Team Records
2001 Seattle Seahawks............... 9-7-0 (2nd)
2002 Seattle Seahawks............... 7-9-0 (3rd)
2003 Seattle Seahawks............. 10-6-0 (2nd)
2004 Seattle Seahawks............... 9-7-0 (1st)
2005 Seattle Seahawks............. 13-3-0 (1st)
2006 Minnesota Vikings............... 9-7-0 (2nd)
2007 Minnesota Vikings............. 6-10-0 (3rd)
2008 Minnesota Vikings............ 10-6-0 (1st)
2009 Minnesota Vikings............ 12-4-0 (1st)
2010 Minnesota Vikings............. 6-10-0 (4th)
2011 Minnesota Vikings............. 3-13-0 (4th)
2012 Tennessee Titans.............. 6-10-0 (3rd)
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Qualified for Postseason in Bold
Full Name: Steven John Hutchinson
Birthdate: November 1, 1977
Birthplace: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
High School: Coral Springs (FL)
Pro Career: 12 seasons, 169 games
Drafted: 1st round (17th player overall) in 2001 by Seattle Seahawks
STEVE HUTCHINSON: They said be brief, so thank you, good night.
(Laughter.)
If you would've told me prior to my graduation from the University of Michigan that I would be excited about standing in the middle of Ohio in August, I would have said you were crazy.
(Cheers and applause.)
But that is exactly the case. My college coach, Lloyd Carr, used to ask us, where would you rather be? Well, Coach, my answer is nowhere. Because as far as I'm concerned, there's not a better place on earth than Canton, Ohio, today.
My guess is that if you are sitting here today wearing a gold jacket, like me, you watched these ceremonies as a kid on TV and wondered if I could ever make it there too. And who helped you get there? Parents, grandparents, coaches, friends, teammates.
Although, I'm the one standing here today being honored, I would like to spend my time honoring the people that helped me along the way to make this possible. So let's start at the beginning.
To my parents, thank you for the selflessness, the unwavering support. You both showed me the definition of hard work. And over the years I realize more and more the sacrifices you've made so that I could have every opportunity to be successful. You both set the standard that I have tried to live up to each day. I know I could never truly repay you, but I love you both and can't thank you enough.
(Applause.)
To my late Uncle Terry who got me really involved to love football at a young age, my in‑laws, Kevin and Belinda, thank you for over 30 years of support.
Some friends have just been there since an early age, and today a few of them are here. Adam Baker, Andrew Glarner, Billy Freeman to name a few. Thank you for being true friends from the start.
To my high school teammates, especially the upperclassmen like Ray Gould, Don Calloway. I think Don is here tonight. They took a lost freshman under their wings and showed him the ropes. Charles DeVeney thank you for being a teacher that truly cared.
To all my high school coaches, namely Terry Dunn and Bill Kramer, thank you for teaching us that football is the ultimate team game and setting the foundation for being disciplined, tough players.
As I made my way from South Florida to Ann Arbor, Michigan, I realized quickly that I had a lot to learn, and Lloyd Carr was the perfect person to show me the way. Thank you, Coach. You showed us the importance of teamwork, tradition, and how to win and lose with class. Those of us that played for you truly had a mountaintop experience.
To my teammates, guys like Brian Griese, Charles Woodson, Zach Adami, Rob Swett, Jarrett Irons, Aaron Shea, Jerame Tuman, Steve Fraizer, Tom Brady, Anthony Thomas, Ben Mast, Eric Wilson, and many, many more, I thank you and I'm very grateful for all of you.
My roommate, Jeff Backus, I looked up to you more than you'll ever know. I thought I was tough, but not like you. You were more of a leader than you realized. To Scotty and the Passink family, thank you for being wonderful people.
The late Jim and Bonnie Mandich, as well as the rest of the Mandich family, you always treated me like family, and we miss you two dearly.
My position coaches, Terry Malone, Greg Mattison, Mike DeBord, Brady Hoke. Technique was the foundation of my game and ultimately why I'm standing here today. Mike Gittleson, thank you. Thank you for all being such great teachers.
To the late Paul Allen, the Wilf and Adams families, thank you for letting me represent your organizations. I had the privilege of playing for first‑class teams, and great ownership is the foundation for that. I thank Mike Holmgren for giving me an opportunity by drafting me. I know I didn't leave there with us being on the best of terms, but over the years we've gotten reconnected, and for that I'm glad.
To my teammates, especially my veteran offensive line mates, Robbie, Chris Gray, Matt Birk and Walter Jones, thank you for your leadership. Robbie, you set a great example of how to be a true pro as well as a great father. Walt, I would've loved to play every snap in my career next to you. For as great as you were as a player, you're a better friend.
Matt Hasselbeck, Mack Strong, Grant Wistrom, Shaun Alexander, Lofa Tatupu, Adrian Peterson, Sean Locklear, Brett Favre, Kevin Williams, Ben Leber, Pat Williams, Heath Farwell, Phil Loadholt, John Sullivan, just a few of the wonderful teammates I was blessed to play with.
To John Randle, I'm not here today without going against you every day the first three years of my career in practice. To EK, I don't have a brother, but if I could pick one out, it'd be you.
Brad Childress, thank you for having the faith to bring me to Minnesota, and Mike Munchak for giving me an opportunity in Tennessee. To my line coaches, Tom Lovat, Bill Laveroni, Pat Morris, Jim Hueber, Jeff Davidson and Bruce Matthews, thank you for putting up with me.
I'm grateful to have been with each and every one of you. Gil Haskell, I thank you, as well as all the assistant coaches throughout my career. I'm grateful for you all.
To the staff members at all three organizations, especially the trainers, strength coaches, equipment and PR groups, you were always very special to me, and I'll always cherish the memories with those people, especially Tom West, Bob Hagan, and Dave Pearson.
To Tom Condon, R.J. Gonser, John Palguta and the countless other people at CAA and MAI, thank you. Thank you, Mike Sando, for presenting me to the Hall of Fame voters.
Lastly, to my wife and kids. Lily and Luke, I thought the days that you two were born were going to be the best two of my life.
That was just the start. Lily, when I look at you, I see so much of myself. You're strong, brave and beautiful. That little girl who stole my heart has grown into a young woman who I'm extremely proud of. Always maintain that passion, that fire and that great personality no matter what path you choose.
Luke, watching you grow up is like rewinding my life. It's crazy to see the amount of similarities we share at that age. I always wished I could go back in time and tell myself something to help myself in the future. If I could go back now, I'd tell myself not to fear failure, but to fear not having given it your all. You're everything I could've asked for in a son, and watching you grow up warms my heart.
Have as much confidence in you as I do. It's going to be fun watching you figure yourself out these next few years. I need both of you to know how incredibly proud I am to be your dad. This might look like my biggest accomplishment, but being your dad has and always will be my greatest honor.
To my wife, Landyn. You've been by my side since eighth grade. They say that football is the ultimate team sport. And since the two of us have always made a great team, I was able to completely focus on my career and ultimately stand up here today. You always found a way to lift my spirits after a bad game, bring me countless bags of ice after numerous surgeries, raised two great kids and somehow find a way to have dinner made, errands run and handle the bills all while having that unmistakable smile on your face.
I could talk for days about how much you mean to me, but you already know that. I'm incredibly proud to be your husband. I love you.
In closing, thank you to the Hall and all its volunteers. Thank you to all the fans everywhere and at every stage of my career. The energy you bring into the stadiums on Friday nights, Saturday afternoons in the big house and of course Sundays is what fuels us.
And to the kids out there who are dreaming of playing in those stadiums or wondering if you could one day be up here as well, never give up on your dreams. Hard work and dedication are two necessary ingredients for success, but you can't do it alone. Lean on that parent, that grandparent, friend, coach or teammate.
Success isn't always comfortable or easy. It requires sacrifice. I remember back to my freshman year of high school, walking out to the first of two practices in South Florida heat while many of my friends were hanging out at the beach or the pool. I had made a choice then that I wanted to be great, and I never looked back. Thank you.