John Madden HoF induction speech. (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

What a speech. I hate the Raiders but John was so awesome. Didn't feel like he was reading off cards, and the part about what happens in the HoF when all the patrons leave, the workers close the lights off...classic!

I don't usually listen to many of these kind of speeches but I enjoyed Madden's speech.

When is Al Davis going to keel over? Is he 80? 85? That walker he used, I thought they were going to take him straight to SunnyHills Farm after the induction...just get a wheel chair already and be done with it.

 

[Raider Nation]

When is Al Davis going to keel over? Is he 80? 85? That walker he used, I thought they were going to take him straight to SunnyHills Farm after the induction...just get a wheel chair already and be done with it.

Beat me to it. He looked like a (barely) walking corpse.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Today i felt great joy watching John Madden go into the hall of fame,thank you Al and John and the rest of the great players that have played for the Raiders....proud to be part of Raider Nation

 

[doughboydeluxe]

Al Davis = Montgomery Burns

 

[imeimex]

As much as people like to wrip on Madden these days, there is no question what he has meant to this game.

 

[cr8f]

Today i felt great joy watching John Madden go into the hall of fame,thank you Al and John and the rest of the great players that have played for the Raiders....proud to be part of Raider Nation

I'm not. Was a fan when Madden was coach, but thought they became thugs, but Madden and Davis were both awesome.Great speech.

 

[redman]

Al Davis = Montgomery Burns

Hey, wait a minute! Does that mean that Madden is ?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

this speech from Reggie's widow might be the worst HOF induction speech of all time

 

[hammerva]

Reggie White's widow might be scarier than Reggie himself. Damn I wouldn't want to mess with her.

 

[menobrown]

this speech from Reggie's widow might be the worst HOF induction speech of all time

It's so bad it's embarrassing.

 

[hammerva]

I did like the fact that some of the Eagles (including McNabb I believe) came to the ceremony in throwing jerseys. Of course knowing Philly fans McNabb will probably get blamed for something.

And maybe I am wrong but when I think Reggie White I think the Packers not the Eagles. Maybe it is a 50/50 thing there.

 

[Raider Nation]

this speech from Reggie's widow might be the worst HOF induction speech of all time

You obviously missed Moon's speech. And give the gal a break... that could not have been easy for her.

 

[hammerva]

Norv Turner introducing Troy Aikman. Man the sports talk radio in DC is going to be unbearable on Monday.

 

[Rovers]

I saw White's wife in a presser yestrerday, and I knew I didn't want to hear her again today. She had said Reggie would not have even mentioned football, he would have talked about life, yada yada. Well, Mrs White, if it weren't for football, Reggie would have been just another righteous dedicated moral man.... and not to downplay that at all, but there are lots of them. This is Canton.... not a moral or religious shrine. The only reason you are there is because of what Reggie did in the NFL. It gave him a platform for his other works.... don't disrespect it.

 

[imeimex]

I saw White's wife in a presser yestrerday, and I knew I didn't want to hear her again today. She had said Reggie would not have even mentioned football, he would have talked about life, yada yada. Well, Mrs White, if it weren't for football, Reggie would have been just another righteous dedicated moral man.... and not to downplay that at all, but there are lots of them. This is Canton.... not a moral or religious shrine. The only reason you are there is because of what Reggie did in the NFL. It gave him a platform for his other works.... don't disrespect it.

Or maybe they realized that football is just a game.

 

[Raider Nation]

I saw White's wife in a presser yestrerday, and I knew I didn't want to hear her again today. She had said Reggie would not have even mentioned football, he would have talked about life, yada yada. Well, Mrs White, if it weren't for football, Reggie would have been just another righteous dedicated moral man.... and not to downplay that at all, but there are lots of them. This is Canton.... not a moral or religious shrine. The only reason you are there is because of what Reggie did in the NFL. It gave him a platform for his other works.... don't disrespect it.

Or maybe they realized that football is just a game.

He didn't mean that, everybody....

 

[imeimex]

I saw White's wife in a presser yestrerday, and I knew I didn't want to hear her again today. She had said Reggie would not have even mentioned football, he would have talked about life, yada yada. Well, Mrs White, if it weren't for football, Reggie would have been just another righteous dedicated moral man.... and not to downplay that at all, but there are lots of them. This is Canton.... not a moral or religious shrine. The only reason you are there is because of what Reggie did in the NFL. It gave him a platform for his other works.... don't disrespect it.

Or maybe they realized that football is just a game.

He didn't mean that, everybody....

I think my original comment would have gotten me booed off the stage, and it is pretty hypocritical since I have 2 NFL scrimmages cued up to be tivoed tonight.

 

[glen5839]

Madden's speech was good but honestly I thought Rayfield Wright's speech was better.

 

[imeimex]

Would it be fair to say that John Madden is the biggest icon in the NFL ever? Possibly in any sport? Next to Michael Jordan, I can't remember a face that is more synonomous with any sport. Whether it be through his coaching, broadcasting, video games, or spokesman for advertisements he is recognized worldide as much as any athlete ever.

 

[Borat]

Would it be fair to say that John Madden is the biggest icon in the NFL ever? Possibly in any sport? Next to Michael Jordan, I can't remember a face that is more synonomous with any sport. Whether it be through his coaching, broadcasting, video games, or spokesman for advertisements he is recognized worldide as much as any athlete ever.

I'd say Gretzky is a bigger hockey icon than Madden is a football icon.

 

[GregR_2]

Would it be fair to say that John Madden is the biggest icon in the NFL ever? Possibly in any sport? Next to Michael Jordan, I can't remember a face that is more synonomous with any sport. Whether it be through his coaching, broadcasting, video games, or spokesman for advertisements he is recognized worldide as much as any athlete ever.

I'd say Gretzky is a bigger hockey icon than Madden is a football icon.

And Babe Ruth is bigger than all three. Especially when you consider how well known he is despite it having been 70+ years since he played.If you will all excuse me now, after having said something flattering of baseball I feel dirty and need a shower.

 

[Dazz]

I think you have to include Madden's entire body of work to quantify him. Other than his career as a coach, he's the nations most recognizable broadcaster, a real-estate giant, and his name adorns the most successful gaming franchise in America (not to mention the amount of endorsements he runs). Madden reaches segments of the population outside of football that Ruth or Gretzky don't gain outside of their sports, in the same way that Jordan does. It's all the more impressive because he was a coach, and the NFL is the only league in America where its most prominent icon wasn't a player. In fact you probably have to go 5 to 10 deep on other sports' lists to find a coach in that respect.

And the Hall of Fame is not about football, it’s about the individual person who made it there and what their life entailed. Reggie was the kind of person that would think of himself as a human being before a football player, and I'm sure he'd attribute that mentality as the reason he made it to the Hall.

 

[Noahs Troopers]

To anybody critisizing Reggie Whites widow. Shame on you.

 

[Tau837]

Madden's speech was good but honestly I thought Rayfield Wright's speech was better.

I was impressed by the speeches given by Wright and Aikman. Madden's wasn't bad. Moon & Reggie's widow were pretty bad... I was surprised that Moon's wasn't better. And Carson's was also pretty bad... to not preparing a speech if you can't get up there and deliver effectively without preparing.

 

[Borat]

I think you have to include Madden's entire body of work to quantify him. Other than his career as a coach, he's the nations most recognizable broadcaster, a real-estate giant, and his name adorns the most successful gaming franchise in America (not to mention the amount of endorsements he runs). Madden reaches segments of the population outside of football that Ruth or Gretzky don't gain outside of their sports, in the same way that Jordan does. It's all the more impressive because he was a coach, and the NFL is the only league in America where its most prominent icon wasn't a player. In fact you probably have to go 5 to 10 deep on other sports' lists to find a coach in that respect.

And the Hall of Fame is not about football, it’s about the individual person who made it there and what their life entailed. Reggie was the kind of person that would think of himself as a human being before a football player, and I'm sure he'd attribute that mentality as the reason he made it to the Hall.

If you ask your average non-sportsfan housewife who John Madden is, who Michael Jordan is, who Babe Ruth is, and who Wayne Gretzky is, I'm confident that Madden would be the least recognizable of the group.

 

[Borat]

To anybody critisizing Reggie Whites widow. Shame on you.

I'm pretty sure she's not reading this thread. If her speech was really that bad - and I don't know, because I didn't see it - then why should we not give an honest critique?

 

[Raider Nation]

I think you have to include Madden's entire body of work to quantify him. Other than his career as a coach, he's the nations most recognizable broadcaster, a real-estate giant, and his name adorns the most successful gaming franchise in America (not to mention the amount of endorsements he runs). Madden reaches segments of the population outside of football that Ruth or Gretzky don't gain outside of their sports, in the same way that Jordan does. It's all the more impressive because he was a coach, and the NFL is the only league in America where its most prominent icon wasn't a player. In fact you probably have to go 5 to 10 deep on other sports' lists to find a coach in that respect.

And the Hall of Fame is not about football, it’s about the individual person who made it there and what their life entailed. Reggie was the kind of person that would think of himself as a human being before a football player, and I'm sure he'd attribute that mentality as the reason he made it to the Hall.

If you ask your average non-sportsfan housewife who John Madden is, who Michael Jordan is, who Babe Ruth is, and who Wayne Gretzky is, I'm confident that Madden would be the least recognizable of the group.

I disagree.Housewives have children. Children have Madden's video games.

Gretzky would by far be the least recognizable, IMO.

 

[Borat]

I think you have to include Madden's entire body of work to quantify him. Other than his career as a coach, he's the nations most recognizable broadcaster, a real-estate giant, and his name adorns the most successful gaming franchise in America (not to mention the amount of endorsements he runs). Madden reaches segments of the population outside of football that Ruth or Gretzky don't gain outside of their sports, in the same way that Jordan does. It's all the more impressive because he was a coach, and the NFL is the only league in America where its most prominent icon wasn't a player. In fact you probably have to go 5 to 10 deep on other sports' lists to find a coach in that respect.

And the Hall of Fame is not about football, it’s about the individual person who made it there and what their life entailed. Reggie was the kind of person that would think of himself as a human being before a football player, and I'm sure he'd attribute that mentality as the reason he made it to the Hall.

If you ask your average non-sportsfan housewife who John Madden is, who Michael Jordan is, who Babe Ruth is, and who Wayne Gretzky is, I'm confident that Madden would be the least recognizable of the group.

I disagree.Housewives have children. Children have Madden's video games.

Gretzky would by far be the least recognizable, IMO.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Unless you want to go out and conduct a survey.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

I think you have to include Madden's entire body of work to quantify him. Other than his career as a coach, he's the nations most recognizable broadcaster, a real-estate giant, and his name adorns the most successful gaming franchise in America (not to mention the amount of endorsements he runs). Madden reaches segments of the population outside of football that Ruth or Gretzky don't gain outside of their sports, in the same way that Jordan does. It's all the more impressive because he was a coach, and the NFL is the only league in America where its most prominent icon wasn't a player. In fact you probably have to go 5 to 10 deep on other sports' lists to find a coach in that respect.

And the Hall of Fame is not about football, it’s about the individual person who made it there and what their life entailed. Reggie was the kind of person that would think of himself as a human being before a football player, and I'm sure he'd attribute that mentality as the reason he made it to the Hall.

If you ask your average non-sportsfan housewife who John Madden is, who Michael Jordan is, who Babe Ruth is, and who Wayne Gretzky is, I'm confident that Madden would be the least recognizable of the group.

Who cares about an average non-sportsfan woman!

 

[cowboyz]

i like moon's shoutout to his new wife

also i heard somewhere madden had a top 5 q rating, with michael jordan at the top

 

[Raider Nation]

To anybody critisizing Reggie Whites widow. Shame on you.

I'm pretty sure she's not reading this thread. If her speech was really that bad - and I don't know, because I didn't see it - then why should we not give an honest critique?

She did just fine. Rudnicki is a sexist.Sara White was emotional throughout the speech, to nobody's surprise. She kept her composure fairly well, as she tried to recognize as many of Regie's friends and teammates as she could. The only problem I had with her speech is that she kept saying "I'm trying to figure out what Reggie would say to you." It's okay... we know you're not Reggie. Just tell us about your husband from your perspective.

 

[tdtg]

Listen to Madden's speech (mp3 format):

Madden's Speech

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

When is Al Davis going to keel over? Is he 80? 85? That walker he used, I thought they were going to take him straight to SunnyHills Farm after the induction...just get a wheel chair already and be done with it.

Beat me to it. He looked like a (barely) walking corpse.

I didn't catch it yet... was Al Davis wearing his white vinyl pants and white sweat suit jacket?

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Would it be fair to say that John Madden is the biggest icon in the NFL ever? Possibly in any sport? Next to Michael Jordan, I can't remember a face that is more synonomous with any sport. Whether it be through his coaching, broadcasting, video games, or spokesman for advertisements he is recognized worldide as much as any athlete ever.

I'd say Gretzky is a bigger hockey icon than Madden is a football icon.

Wanna bet?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I saw White's wife in a presser yestrerday, and I knew I didn't want to hear her again today. She had said Reggie would not have even mentioned football, he would have talked about life, yada yada. Well, Mrs White, if it weren't for football, Reggie would have been just another righteous dedicated moral man.... and not to downplay that at all, but there are lots of them. This is Canton.... not a moral or religious shrine. The only reason you are there is because of what Reggie did in the NFL. It gave him a platform for his other works.... don't disrespect it.

Or maybe they realized that football is just a game.

He didn't mean that, everybody....

CRUCIFY HIM!

 

[Tom Servo]

Sara White was emotional throughout the speech, to nobody's surprise. She kept her composure fairly well, as she tried to recognize as many of Regie's friends and teammates as she could. The only problem I had with her speech is that she kept saying "I'm trying to figure out what Reggie would say to you." It's okay... we know you're not Reggie. Just tell us about your husband from your perspective.

IMO a lot of people were looking for that type of speech. Let's face it; she's in unchartered waters here. It's not like any one had been posthumously inducted before. She felt led to go in the direction she did. If my wife had to give a speech about me in front of several thousand people, my bet is that she'd take the same tack as Sara White did.Many people - myself included - were looking forward to her speech just to see what she would say. Of course, since Reggie is one of my football heroes, I was the whole time anyways.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Listen to Madden's speech (mp3 format):

Madden's Speech

Thanks for the link... Listening to it now...

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Let's face it; she's in unchartered waters here. It's not like any one had been posthumously inducted before.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

What a speech. I hate the Raiders but John was so awesome. Didn't feel like he was reading off cards, and the part about what happens in the HoF when all the patrons leave, the workers close the lights off...classic!I don't usually listen to many of these kind of speeches but I enjoyed Madden's speech.When is Al Davis going to keel over? Is he 80? 85? That walker he used, I thought they were going to take him straight to SunnyHills Farm after the induction...just get a wheel chair already and be done with it.

Pretty good speech, but definitely not the best. It will take a lot to top Jim Kelly's...

 

[Eric]

IMHO, that was even better than Jim Kelly's speech. They don't come better than that.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

She did just fine. Rudnicki is a sexist.

it was unlistenable. I don't even know what she was talking about during most of it.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Let's face it; she's in unchartered waters here. It's not like any one had been posthumously inducted before.

 

[Tornacl]

I think you have to include Madden's entire body of work to quantify him. Other than his career as a coach, he's the nations most recognizable broadcaster, a real-estate giant, and his name adorns the most successful gaming franchise in America (not to mention the amount of endorsements he runs). Madden reaches segments of the population outside of football that Ruth or Gretzky don't gain outside of their sports, in the same way that Jordan does. It's all the more impressive because he was a coach, and the NFL is the only league in America where its most prominent icon wasn't a player. In fact you probably have to go 5 to 10 deep on other sports' lists to find a coach in that respect.

And the Hall of Fame is not about football, it’s about the individual person who made it there and what their life entailed. Reggie was the kind of person that would think of himself as a human being before a football player, and I'm sure he'd attribute that mentality as the reason he made it to the Hall.

I don't think you can make an accurate comparison between Ruth and the others. The fact that he's still known is amazing. In his day, his recognizablility probably dwarfed all of the others. Gretzky may not be as recognizable, but I would argue that he did more for his sport than any of the others. The fact that he was an icon at all is amazing, knowing how little American's pay attention to hockey.And if you want to go by how recognizable they are and the overall influence, then Tiger Woods has them all beat right now.

 

[jdraiders]

When is Al Davis going to keel over? Is he 80? 85? That walker he used, I thought they were going to take him straight to SunnyHills Farm after the induction...just get a wheel chair already and be done with it.

Beat me to it. He looked like a (barely) walking corpse.

I can understand the remarks about Davis. But, you have to admit he was mentally strong and gave an impressive speach. On top of that, what he, Madden, and the organization have done for football and diversifiaction in sports is pretty darn amazing.

 

[Noahs Troopers]

She did just fine. Rudnicki is a sexist.

it was unlistenable. I don't even know what she was talking about during most of it.

I heard the whole speech and I had zero problems comprehending every word she said. You seem to be a smart enough guy Aaron, what did you not understand?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

She did just fine. Rudnicki is a sexist.

it was unlistenable. I don't even know what she was talking about during most of it.

I heard the whole speech and I had zero problems comprehending every word she said. You seem to be a smart enough guy Aaron, what did you not understand?

I could understand the words...but their relevance to her husband, football, or the Pro Football HOF weren't always clear.

 

[Tom Servo]

Let's face it; she's in unchartered waters here. It's not like any one had been posthumously inducted before.

Reggie White became the first player inducted into the HoF after he passed away. Everyone else gave their own induction speech; since Reggie's deceased, someone had to give it for him. What don't you understand?

 

[{Syrus}]

"I just want to thank God, and I should specify which God...."

--Jeremy White introducing his father Reggie White

P.S. because only their God really matters

 

[{Syrus}]

I'm just happy Madden was inducted into the Hall of Fame while he could still give his own speech. Would have been a shame to induct him after he passes away....I fear for his health, that ol' heart of his has to be about out of ticks.

 

[Noahs Troopers]

"I just want to thank God, and I should specify which God...." --Jeremy White introducing his father Reggie White P.S. because only their God really matters

They gave him a microphone and he can say whatever he wants. I can't believe how rude people are being on this forum to Reggie Whites family, it's truly pathetic. What he said didn't bother me at all, they are religious, I am an atheist and for some reason I let the kids comments slide by, I have no desire to crucify a kid who most likely has better moral values than 99% of other kids his age, Give the KID a break.