Sterling Sharpe, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Antonio Gates delivered moving speeches as they were honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Sharpe shared a heartfelt moment with his brother, Shannon Sharpe, becoming the first pair of siblings to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. During his speech, Sterling Sharpe expressed his deep admiration for his brother, reflecting on their upbringing in rural South Georgia. 'Everything I did was for an audience of one,' he stated, emphasizing the importance of role models in his life. He affectionately invited Shannon onto the stage, acknowledging that he agrees with Shannon’s previous comment about him being 'the second-best player in his own family,' and expressed pride in the legacy they both share within the Hall of Fame.

Jared Allen, a former defensive end who amassed 136 sacks during his career, began his speech by discussing his motivation for excellence. He referenced the idea of honoring the game by striving to be the best, claiming that the NFL’s sack leaders were a constant source of inspiration for him. Notably, Allen also took a lighthearted jab at the Chicago Bears while expressing his fondness for the Minnesota Vikings. 'The pursuit of greatness, when you respect something or someone so much that you want to honor that thing or that person by being the best you can possibly be,' Allen remarked, conveying his passion for the sport throughout his career.

Eric Allen, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988 and played for them until 1994, also highlighted the camaraderie and love for football shared among the inductees. He expressed gratitude for the honor of being enshrined, stating, 'We all share a deep love and respect for the game of football, and it transcends time and place.' His reflections emphasized the essential qualities of devotion, passion, and patience required to excel in the game. Antonio Gates closed out the ceremony by celebrating his enshrinement and acknowledging the teammates who played crucial roles in his success. He specifically mentioned quarterback Philip Rivers, with whom he connected for 89 of his 116 career touchdowns. Gates underscored the unique understanding they shared on the field, stating, 'What we had on that football field was special.' He also paid homage to running back LaDainian Tomlinson, attributing the beauty of their shared experiences to the artistry of teamwork. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, which began enshrining players in 1963, has recognized a total of 371 players prior to the Class of 2025, which gains entrance this year. Following the ceremony, the newly inducted players participated in an autograph session at the Canton Memorial Field House.