Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Ceremony Recap, Speech Highlights and Reaction

The Pro Football Hall of Fame grew by eight members following Saturday’s enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Brett Favre was one of the headliners for the 2016 class. The 46-year-old retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (71,838) and touchdowns (508), though Peyton Manning has since broken both records.

A testament to his famed risk-taking style, Favre also threw more interceptions (336) than any other quarterback.

He brought that unpredictability to his Hall of Fame speech, per NFL Network’s Rich Eisen:

Oh boy. @Favre4Official just told @wyche89 that he will speak tonight with no script or notes. Drawing it up in the dirt. #OffTheDome

— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) August 6, 2016

The back-and-forth over his retirement and eventual return to the field soured some fans on Favre late in his career. He began his speech with a comedic nod to the protracted drama, per Pro Football Talk:

Favre opens by saying he wants to play the first series tomorrow night. He may not be joking.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 7, 2016

Favre was often emotional, and at one point, he had to call upon one of his sworn enemies, Kevin Greene, for help. NFL Network provided a replay of the special moment:

Emotions are running high during Favre’s speech. Pure Passion.#PFHOF16https://t.co/DHNpGRwEXg

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 7, 2016

Favre spoke at length about his relationship with his father. He explained how his dad helped motivate him to become one of the best quarterbacks in history. The NFL offered a second look at Favre’s heartfelt anecdote:

“I spent the rest of my career trying to…make him proud.”Favre shares an untold story about his father. #PFHOF16 https://t.co/oThdtpi6se

— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2016

Favre provided some moments of levity, particularly this comment about his mother-in-law, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

HOF QB Brett Favre: “I’ve never thrown an interception that was my fault, according to my mother-in-law, Ann.” … Favre is the best.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 7, 2016

He also complimented former Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf, who helped build the team into a Super Bowl winner in 1996 and entered the Hall of Fame last year. Favre singled out the signing of Reggie White as a masterstroke by Wolf, per NFL.com’s Kevin Patra:

Favre on Ron Wolf: “The single biggest free agent acquisition in NFL history is Reggie White…Ron Wolf made it cool to come to Green Bay.”

— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) August 7, 2016

After missing out on the Hall of Fame in past years, Orlando Pace and Marvin Harrison received their just due in Canton on Saturday.

Harrison combined with Manning to form one of the most lethal aerial duos in league history. He reached eight straight Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2006 and recorded 1,102 receptions, 14,580 receiving yards and 128 touchdowns over a 13-year career.

The wide receiver position has created a number of entertaining stars, but Harrison was known more for his reserved style. As Yahoo Sports’ …

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