CANTON, Ohio — Drew Brees stood on stage next to his bronze bust, in front of Who Dat Nation, and took his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Getting benched three times in the NFL helped him get there.
“Marty Schottenheimer, one of the greatest coaches and motivators to ever coach this game and who belongs here in Canton,” Brees said Saturday. “Marty was my biggest fan. He would tell me all the time, even as he benched me three times and made me fight for my job every year with two greats, Doug Flutie and Philip Rivers.
“The first two times I got benched, I deserved it. The third time, I still don’t think I deserved it, Coach. But nonetheless, it lit more than a fire. It forced me to access a place in my mind and heart that I had not yet been. The adversity was not expected, but very necessary. I would never have reached the heights I did without it. I knew I needed to play better, but more importantly, I knew he believed I would play better.”
Brees eventually left the Chargers and joined the Saints, where he won a Super Bowl playing for Sean Payton and became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history”
Payton took time off from coaching Denver to introduce Brees on stage.
Brees got emotional thanking Payton.
“You always had a plan and vision for every player you coached,” Brees said. “I’m not sure if this is how you envisioned my journey or how big a role you would play in it, but I love you for it.”
Brees has the second-most yards passing (80,358) and touchdown passes (571) in league history, behind Tom Brady. He was a first-ballot selection and joined a class that includes Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig.
Fitzgerald was the first player to have his bronze bust revealed on stage at Tom Benson Stadium.
The 11-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, who played his entire 17-year career for the Cardinals, was introduced by the oldest of his three sons, Devin.
Being drafted No. 3 overall in 2004 by Cardinals coach Dennis Green reunited Fitzgerald with the man who was Minnesota’s coach when he was a ball boy for the Vikings.
“When coach Green hired me as a ball boy, I grew up watching legends being built right in front of me,” Fitzgerald said. “Hall of Fame players like John Randle, Chris Doleman, Randall McDaniel and Warren Moon, who taught me what it means to demand more of yourself than anyone else ever would. Plus, they saw me.”
Fitzgerald thanked Hall of Fame receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss for their influence on his career during his time working for the Vikings as a kid. He singled out former Cardinals teammates Emmitt Smith and Kurt Warner for showing him how to be a professional.
“Kurt, when you demanded that I elevate my preparation, consistency, and accountability, you dragged me to the winner’s circle,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald is second on the NFL’s career list in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). His 121 touchdown catches are sixth.
Vinatieri became only the third full-time placekicker to be inducted into the Hall, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.
Vinatieri retired with NFL records of 2,673 career points and 599 field goals. Only George Blanda (26) and Andersen (25) had longer careers than Vinatieri’s 24 seasons.
“When people hear the word greatness, they usually think about the biggest names on the biggest stages,” Vinatieri said. “But greatness isn’t created under bright lights. Greatness is built on empty practice fields when it’s below zero. Greatness is sacrificing temporary fun for meaningful outcomes. Greatness is turning doubt into belief. Preparation matters. Character matters.
“And to all the doubters, thank you. Your criticism became fuel. Your doubt became motivation. You helped make me better.”
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon introduced Vinatieri, who won his fourth Super Bowl with Indianapolis after earning three rings in New England.
At 35, Kuechly became the second-youngest player inducted into the Hall. Bears running back Gale Sayers was 34 when he was inducted in 1977.
Introduced by his father, Tom, Kuechly was inducted on the same field where he led St. Xavier High School to a state championship in 2007.
Kuechly was a five-time first-team All-Pro linebacker, the 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 2013 AP Defensive Player of the Year during his eight-year career with the Panthers. Kuechly decided to retire in part to preserve his brain health after suffering several concussions.
Craig, who revealed in a video speech that he has vascular dementia, became the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have done it since.
“You spend your whole life trying to prove you belong and one day you’re told you’re one of the all-time greats. Man, it’s overwhelming,” Craig said.