“We are thrilled to be back, back, back in the frozen tundra of Canton, Ohio!” Over 100 living members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame attended the ceremony of the nine enshrinees of the 2023 Hall of Fame class. The speeches always provide tear-jerking responses, comedic anecdotes, and incredible amounts of hype. What were the most incredible moments from the NFL’s class of 2023?
Best Moments From the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Speeches
“Yes, sir!”
Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas was an undersized, under-athletic linebacker drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
“I don’t think anybody realized just how good a football player he was.” – @JimmyJohnson @MiamiDolphins great Zach Thomas’ Hall of Fame resume speaks for itself 👏
📸: @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/PlYkdFRn7i
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 5, 2023
Jimmy Johnson, the man who drafted Thomas in 1996, was the one to greet him into the Hall of Fame. As Thomas took the stage, Johnson was clearly overcome with emotion as Thomas began to speak.
One of the best moments happened approximately 1,200 miles away in Florida.
Dolphins scrimmage at the stadium is in a lightning delay meaning everybody — players, fans, media — stopped just in time to watch Dolphins legend Zach Thomas' Hall of Fame speech. Poetry.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 5, 2023
As the Miami Dolphins practiced, a normal South Florida storm passed through, bringing players, fans, and coaches inside just as Thomas began his speech. But the best moment came in the final moments of Thomas’ speech. After thanking everyone in his life that helped him get to this moment, he had one more thanks to give.
Zach Thomas pays tribute to the late Junior Seau ❤️
Together again in Canton!
pic.twitter.com/HATQfIL0Jn— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 5, 2023
After keeping things together emotionally throughout the course of his speech, he finally got to the poster on his wall. He got to thank the man he wanted to be as a football player: Junior Seau, who died in 2012 and was posthumously enshrined in the Hall of Fame as part of the 2015 class.
Ken Riley
Ken Riley finally gets his day and heads to Canton! No one is more deserving than this guy right here. The Rattler is one of the best defensive backs all time in the NFL. It’s a great day to be a Bengals fan! Who Dey!!!#bengals #profootballhalloffame pic.twitter.com/JlsqJakj6C
— Sports with Strawberry Ice (@JeffATrennepohl) August 5, 2023
It was a bittersweet moment for the Riley family. Although they got to see their husband, father, and grandfather enshrined in the Hall of Fame, they also knew how much it would have meant to him to be there. His wife’s enshrinement presentation was incredible.
Ken Riley loved football. But the love of his life was his wife, Barbara.
Although Ken is no longer with us, having his wife Present him as a Hall of Famer is poetic. pic.twitter.com/YQupU9093M
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 5, 2023
DeMarcus Ware
“When DeMarcus Ware left the Dallas Cowboys and joined the Denver Broncos, I had a hollow spot not only in my heart but in my stomach,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said as he presented Ware’s Hall of Fame enshrinement.
There weren't many players who could dominate a game on defense like DeMarcus Ware. 😤
📺: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/9EVUE6Faq9— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023
Ware made sure to thank his community, family, and teammates that raised their voices to help him get his scholarship at Troy, the only scholarship he was offered.
He also recalled an incident at a parking lot party while he was in college, where his uncle was struck over the head with a gun — a gun that was then pressed onto Ware’s head. And he spent his time after that moment to replace the bad memories with new, better ones.
Someone make a movie about DeMarcus Ware's life. So inspiring!
— Traveshamockery (@AlexJarune) August 5, 2023
One of the most touching moments during Ware’s inspirational speech came not from words but from the empty chairs that Ware saved for Marion Barber, Demaryius Thomas, and Ronnie Hillman.
Touching moment from DeMarcus Ware. He saved seats for former teammates Marion Barber, Demaryius Thomas and Ronnie Hillman, who have passed away.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 5, 2023
But things kept up. Ware took time during arguably the biggest stage he’s ever had publicly to forgive his father. Ware said his story is one of gratitude, forgiveness, brotherhood, and humility.
Joe Klecko
“The winners once again in the Spelling Bee, the New York Jets fans,” Chris Berman said as he began introducing Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko.
Klecko has a legendary smile, but he was an absolute menace on the defensive interior for the New York “Sack Exchange.” Marty Lyons, Klecko’s former teammate that presented his enshrinement, said he knew that Klecko deserved to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joe Klecko wishes he played today 😂
📺: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/VOxus1pfPg— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023
Nobody disagrees with Klecko’s sentiment about wishing he could play today. He was once the highest-paid defensive lineman in the NFL, but his $700,000 salary is about $30 million short of Aaron Donald.
Chuck Howley
Chuck Howley wasn’t in attendance for his Hall of Fame ceremony, but teammate and friend Bob Lilly and his son presented the Hall of Famer’s enshrinement. The Bears and Cowboys outside linebacker is the only player in Super Bowl history to win the MVP award in a loss.
Chuck Howley and Roger Staubach have a bond that goes back more than 50 years and even decades after their @dallascowboys careers ended, remain neighbors.
So, when it was time for Howley to be told he was elected to the Hall of Fame, only Staubach could break the news. pic.twitter.com/bXJ90Pmfnw
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 4, 2023
Darrell Revis
“I’m a hooper at heart.” One thing is for sure — Darrell Revis is a baller.
Revis Island 🏝️
— Chido (@ChidobeAwuzie) August 5, 2023
That’s all that needs to be said. Chidobe Awuzie was around 12 when Revis Island showed up on his television screen. Revis was the cornerback. He became a legend early on, and he was the greatest of a generation that boasted multiple ridiculous talents at the position. But only he had an island.
This Darrell Revis graphic will always be nuts pic.twitter.com/QNdtqRUr0x
— Kevin Pantoja (@the_kevstaaa) August 3, 2023
“If you stay focused and fall in love with the process, you’ll always come out on top.” Revis ended his speech with those words of wisdom, and Rich Eisen imparted his own wisdom. There are no QBs or WRs in this class, meaning the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 really is Revis Island.
Don Coryell
“His greatest legacy is the enduring originality he bought to the sport.”
There is no doubt about that. Coryell was an outstanding coach, but his lasting legacy comes from the offensive innovation he brought to the game, particularly in the passing attack.
Dan Fouts was the @chargers QB that helped put the air into Air Coryell.
Although Don Coryell is no longer with us, Fouts is in Canton today to serve as his coach's Hall of Fame Presenter. pic.twitter.com/QKXIZMUd0z
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 5, 2023
Rondé Barber
Rondé Barber revolutionized the slot position. He’s the only defensive back to ever intercept 40 passes and collect 25 sacks in a career.
“I was not that guy,” Barber recounted as he discussed the differences between himself and the likes of cornerbacks like Revis. He discussed his first two seasons in the NFL, just hoping that he wouldn’t be cut by the Buccaneers.
“I am here because of my brother.” ❤️@rondebarber | @TikiBarber
📺: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/vensjkjNJV— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023
“My mom is kind of a bad—.”
Joe Thomas
“They could count on me,” Joe Thomas said of his 10,000+ offensive snaps in a row.
Joe Thomas might be greatest LT ever
— Mike (@Olmikelaaawry) August 5, 2023
Thomas is the epitome of professionalism. Berman made sure to hit every Cleveland Browns joke in the books, but his words hit on just how impressive Thomas’ feat of iron was.
Joe Thomas on the bonds of offensive lineman. Sums it up perfectly. pic.twitter.com/CVbN4r9FZc
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 5, 2023
Accountability and dependability were the focus of Thomas’ speech. That and getting to block for more starting QBs (20) than anyone in NFL history.
"I was there for my brothers 10,363 times in a row," Joe Thomas says of his unbreakable snap streak.
— Tyler Carey (@TC_CLE) August 5, 2023