From Canton to Cooperstown to Springfield, the Hall of Fame honors the elite in football, baseball, and basketball. And on induction day, heartfelt speeches are given, typically to thank those most influential to the inductees.
While some speeches take a more serious tone, just about all of them are sure to include a knee-slapper or two. But, like athletes, some Hall of Fame speeches simply rise above the rest.
And here are the finest, including the one by Brett Favre in 2016.
NFL
Walter Payton (1993)
Speech summary: Payton talked about how football is a team game and that it takes everyone on the team to make a Hall of Famer. He was emotional as he apologized to his wife and children for not always being there for them while he was playing and said he was motivated to make sure their lives would always be happy and fulfilled. He finished his speech by saying that everyone is a role model in our lives, whether positive or negative, and that we can learn something from everyone. He was introduced by his 12-year-old son Jarrett, the youngest presenter ever.
Memorable quote: "I am going to close by saying life is short, it is oh so sweet. There are a lot of people that we meet as we walk through these hallowed halls, but the things that mean the most are the friendships that you meet and take along with you."
Funniest line: "When I was growing up, I was the baby, and when they [Payton's brother and sister] had to clean the house on Saturdays and do things when Mom went to work and said, 'I want this house clean when I get back,' hey, I was the baby, I didn't have to do that. So these guys beat me up. That's the reason why I had the moves that I did, because when you have an angry sister and angry brother chasing you with a broom and a wet dish rag, you tend to pick up moves you never had before."
Deion Sanders (2011)
Speech summary: Sanders thanked everyone from his former coaches to Jerry Jones to Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. He explained how much football taught him, including how to be a man. His speech was a touching tribute to his mother, the inspiration for "Prime Time" and his drive for everything he did on the field. He said that he was inspired to make enough money so that his mother would never have to work again.
Memorable quote: "I don't know if you figured it out by now, but I just gave you Prime. I just gave you the formula in who was really standing before you because I was trick or treating, and it wasn't even Halloween. Because all the things that you really thought I was, and some of the things you didn't like, you didn't love, you didn't want to accept, I was doing it for my mama."
Funniest line: "And I said, 'Mama' -- because I was tired of seeing her go to work and come home all tired -- I said, 'I'm going to be rich one day. Mama, I'm going to make a lot of money, and you will never have to work another day of your life.' My mama said, 'That's fine, but until then, you get that lawnmower and go out there and cut that grass.'"
Shannon Sharpe (2011)
Speech summary: Sharpe dedicated a large portion of his speech to his older brother, Sterling, even saying he hoped the Hall voters would consider his accomplishments next time they voted. Sharpe also talked a lot about his grandmother and grandfather raising him and how much they meant to him. He said that growing up poor drove him to want to be able to provide a better life for his family, and that determination, dedication and discipline were key.
Memorable quote: "My big brother, Sterling, I'm the only player of 267 men that's walked through this building to my left that can honestly say this: I'm the only pro football player that's in the Hall of Fame, and I'm the second-best player in my own family."
Funniest line: "John [Elway] had never heard of Shannon Sharpe or Savannah State, but not only did he embrace me, he chose me as his go-to guy. In my first game starting at tight end, they put me in motion the entire game. As I would motion past John, he would turn around and tell me what I had to do -- block the end, block the linebacker, run the out, run a corner. We won the game. I'm standing on the sideline, and I can see John walking toward me. Instead of being angry and upset with me, he walks up to me and he says, 'I think next week we need to learn the plays.' Thanks, John, for teaching me how to be a pro."
Curtis Martin (2012)
Speech summary: Martin spoke about his tough childhood and how he was so grateful to his mother for all the sacrifices she made for him. He admitted that he never really wanted to play football but knew that he was playing for a bigger purpose than himself. He said that it's not what you achieve that matters the most, but the person you become that is most important.
Memorable quote: "No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. I turned around and said, 'I don't want to play football. I don't even know that I like football enough to try to make a career out of it.' My pastor at the time was a guy by the name of Leroy Joseph, and I'm so glad he was there to talk some sense into me. He says, 'Curtis, look at it this way, man.' He said, 'Maybe football is just something that God is giving you to do all those wonderful things that you say you want to do for other people.' I tell you, it was like a light bulb came on in my head. That became my connection with football. I don't know if he wouldn't have said that to me if football would have gotten out of me what it got out of me. I definitely wouldn't be standing here. And ever since he said that, I knew the only way I was going to be successful at this game called football was if I played for a purpose that was bigger than the game itself, because I knew that the love for the game just wasn't in my heart."
Funniest line: "We're playing the Raiders one day. My fullbacks knew the rule was if you see me lying on the ground because I usually pop right back up after I get hurt; if you see me laying on the ground, I'm probably dazed or knocked out or something. Come pick me up and shake me. So we're playing the Raiders and I get hit downfield. I pop up, but I realize everything is black. I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'm kind of knocked out. So I'm trying to hold on to people. I finally make my way back to the huddle. I'm standing in the huddle for a while, and I just have my hands on my hip. The guy turns around and he says, 'What are you doing?' And I, like, looked again. I was in the Raiders' huddle. I thought that I was just, I thought that it was just black because I hadn't come to yet. But I was in the Raiders' huddle."
Brett Favre (2016)
Speech summary: Favre thanked all of his family members, coaches and teammates, paying many compliments to his wife, Deanna, who introduced him. He explained that his reason for wanting to make the Hall of Fame was to honor his father and acknowledge how important he was in his life. Favre said how much he loved playing football and that he didn't have any regrets.
Memorable quote: "So a new goal had entered into my mind then and there, and I said to myself, 'I will make it to the Hall of Fame; that I would make it to the Hall of Fame so I could acknowledge the fact of how important he [Favre's father] was.' This is tougher than any third-and-15, I can assure you. So I could acknowledge the importance of him and in my career and my life, which he was a tremendous part of my life. He taught me toughness. Boy, did he teach me toughness. Trust me, there was no room for crybabies in our house. He taught me teamwork, and by all means no player was ever more important than the team. ... So then and there in that moment on that plane, I was determined for selfish reasons to get to this point to acknowledge how important he was. I would not be here before you today without my father. There is no doubt whatsoever."
Funniest line: "My mother-in-law who for 33, 34 years has been by far my biggest fan. I have never thrown an interception that has been my fault, according to my mother-in-law, Ann."
Honorable Mention: Michael Irvin (2007); Mike Ditka (1988); Mike Singletary (1998); Joe Montana (2000); John Elway (2004); Jerry Rice (2010); Cris Carter (2013); Jerome Bettis (2015); LaDainian Tomlinson (2017)
MLB
Ted Williams (1966)
Speech summary: Williams is known for advocating for Negro League players to be included in the Hall of Fame during his speech. He spoke about how hard work, not luck, leads to success. He also reflected on how fortunate he was to play the greatest game and the game he loved -- baseball.
Memorable quote: "I hope that someday the names of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson in some way could be added as a symbol of the great Negro players that are not here only because they were not given the chance."
Funniest line: "I'm awfully glad to be with him [Casey Stengel] on his big day. I also know I'll lose a dear friend if I don't stop talking 'cause I know I'm eating into his time."
Bob Uecker (2003)
Speech summary: Uecker mixed in plenty of jokes, telling his story from birth to becoming a baseball player to making a career in the Brewers' broadcast booth. He poked fun at everything from his .200 career batting average to setting a record for passed balls. Although he was honored for his broadcasting career, he joked that he should have gone into the Hall for his accomplishments as a player.
Memorable quote: "And to all of you baseball fans around America and any place else, for your letters, your thoughts, your kindness, for all of these years, it's been a great run, but No. 1 has always been baseball for me. No matter what else I ever did, baseball was the only way I ever wanted to go."
Funniest line: "I did not have a lot of ability as a kid, and my dad wanted me to have everything that everybody else had. I think the first thing that he ever bought me was a football. And I was very young. He didn't know a lot about it, he came from the old country. I mean, we tried to pass it and throw it and kick it, and we couldn't do it. And it was very discouraging for him and for me. Almost, we almost quit. And finally we had a nice enough neighbor came over and put some air in it, and what a difference."
Dennis Eckersley (2004)
Speech summary: Eckersley gave an emotional speech, talking about overcoming alcohol addiction and his demons and thanking those who helped him along his journey. He also reminisced about how he enjoyed playing at iconic stadiums like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.
Memorable quote: "I knew I had come to a crossroads in my life. With the grace of God, I got sober and I saved my life. I was a new man, a renewed man. It took a great deal of acceptance to come to terms with being an alcoholic, but acceptance was the key to my sobriety. If I had not gained acceptance at that time in my life, I would not be standing here today. My career would not have taken me this far."
Funniest line: "There's no place like Wrigley Field. Great place to hit. Bad place to pitch. I mean, I even hit three home runs at Wrigley Field, tell me about it."
Rickey Henderson (2009)
Speech summary: Henderson talked about how his dream was originally to play football for the Raiders, saying he was "tricked" into getting out of bed with doughnuts and hot chocolate to go play baseball. He also said his high school counselor encouraged him to play baseball, promising him a quarter for each hit, run scored or stolen base. Henderson thanked everyone, including his minor league coach who helped him develop his baserunning and sliding skills, and said he was very humbled to be entering the Hall.
Memorable quote: "When you think of me, I would like you to remember that kid from the inner city that played the game with all his heart and never took the game for granted. Thanks everyone here for making my dream come true today."
Funniest line: "As a kid growing up in Oakland, my heroes were Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson. What about that Reggie Jackson? I stand out on the ballpark in the parking lot waiting for Reggie Jackson to give me a[n] autograph. Reggie used to come out all the time and I'd say, 'Reggie, can I have a[n] autograph?' He would pass me a pen with his name on it. He never gave me a[n] autograph."
Ken Griffey Jr. (2016)
Speech summary: Griffey thanked all the members of his family individually and paid a touching tribute to his dad, noting some of the father-son feats they accomplished, including hitting back-to-back home runs. He talked about being a 19-year-old in the majors surrounded by famous players who were like big brothers to him and who took care of him. Griffey concluded by saying that even if he made it look easy, he worked hard and that he was very proud to be a Mariner.
Memorable quote: "To my dad, who taught me how to play this game, but more importantly he taught me how to be a man. How to work hard, how to look at yourself in the mirror each and every day, and not to worry about what other people are doing. See, baseball didn't come easy for him. He was the 29th-round pick and had to choose between football and baseball. And where he's from in Donora, Pennsylvania, football is king. But I was born five months after his senior year, and he made a decision to play baseball to provide for his family, because that's what men do. And I love you for that."
Funniest line: "Trey (Griffey's son), you're my little man, my partner in crime. And one day, sitting there on the couch, you took a bat and hit the TV. And your mom got mad at you and then got mad at me and asked me why I was not mad, and I said, 'Girl, you can't teach that swing.' So I got up and bought a new TV."
Honorable mention: Kirby Puckett (2001); Hank Aaron (1982); Billy Williams (1987); Tommy Lasorda (1997); Ryne Sandberg (2005); Cal Ripken Jr. (2007); Andre Dawson (2010); Pudge Rodriguez (2017); Bert Blyleven (2011)
NBA
Michael Jordan (2009)
Speech summary: This speech is famous for a couple of unorthodox reasons. The tone of the speech was more competitive than your typical Hall of Fame speech, as Jordan detailed some testy incidents with coaches and front-office personnel (namely former Bulls GM Jerry Krause) in which he was "correct." It also was the source of the "Crying Jordan meme," which has been used on social media incessantly over the past few years.
Memorable quote: "[Krause] said, 'Organizations win championships.' I said, 'I didn't see organizations playing with the flu in Utah, I didn't see them playing with a bad ankle.' Granted, I think organizations put together teams, but at the end of the day, the team has to go out and play."
Funniest line: "Bryon Russell came over to me and said, 'You know what, man, why'd you quit? Why'd you quit? You know I could guard you. If I ever seen you in a pair of shorts, if I ever see you in a pair of shorts.' ... So when I decided to come back in 1995 and we played Utah in '96, I'm at the center circle and Bryon Russell is sitting next to me, and I look over to Bryon and I said, 'Do you remember this conversation in 1994, or when you said, 'I think I can guard you, I think I can shut you down, and I would love to play against you? Well, you're about to get your chance.'"
Dennis Rodman (2011)
Speech summary: Emotion fueled Rodman during his playing career, so it was no surprise that his Hall of Fame speech was emotional and scattered at times. Rodman intertwined thanks to teammates and coaches in his career to being hard on himself for many of the choices he made, repenting to his mother, wife and children for not being a better son, husband and father. Rodman used his honor to help get closure on some things in his life.
Memorable quote: "You know, I could have been anywhere in the world. I could have been dead. I could have been a drug dealer. I could have been homeless -- I was homeless. And a lot of you guys here that's been here and a lot of you guys here in the Hall of Fame know what I'm talking about; living in the projects and trying to get out of the projects and, ah, I did that. But, but it took a lot of work and a lot of bumps -- bumps in the road."
Funniest line: "Phil Jackson asked me to come to Jerry Krause's house and he asked me, he said, 'Dennis, you know, we'd like you to come play, but you gotta do one thing for me, you gotta go into the kitchen and tell Scottie Pippen you're sorry.' I said, 'You know what? OK, I'll do that.' So he asked me another question: 'Dennis, would you like to be a Chicago Bull? I said, my exact words were, 'I don't give a damn.' And Phil Jackson said, 'Welcome to the Chicago Bulls.'"
Reggie Miller (2012)
Speech summary: Known for being brash during his 18-year career with the Pacers, Miller was quite humble in his speech, as he went out of his way to credit his teammates and coaches, along with being gracious toward opponents. Miller also went out of his way to praise his family, especially older sister Cheryl Miller -- a Hall of Famer herself and who is recognized as one of the top women to ever play basketball.
Memorable quote: "There's one lady that deserves the biggest recognition, probably, of everyone as to why I'm here. Cheryl, you've ... a lot of people wish that they could be in a house with the greatest of anything. I just so happened to live across the hall from absolutely, positively, the greatest women's basketball player ever. I am proud to say that I'm not on this stage if it wasn't for you, Cheryl."
Funniest line: "Greg Anthony, my compadre on NBA TV, I don't know if he's here or not, but I'm sure he'll get word of this. I gotta say it; in 1995, as you saw in the video, yeah, I pushed. I'm sorry. The ref didn't call it, I went with it. Like Magic [Johnson] says, 'By any means necessary.' So I apologize. I've never said that publicly. So, Greg, I shoved you and kept you down."
Allen Iverson (2016)
Speech summary: He wasn't talking about practice, man. Iverson delivered a memorable Hall of Fame speech, thanking everyone from his family to his coaches to his teammates to the fans -- and musicians Notorious B.I.G., Redman, Jadakiss, Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson. Iverson's speech had it all, and he delivered his address with compassion and humor as he took the audience on a trip through his entire life. The focus was supposed to be on him for his accomplishments in basketball, but he made it about everyone else and how they helped get him where he is.
Memorable quote: "You want to be fast like Isiah and you want to shoot like Bird, you know, rebound like Barkley, pass like Magic, be dominant like Shaq ... but, man, I wanted to be like Mike."
Funniest line: "I remember the first time I played against him [Michael Jordan], and um, I walked out on the court and I looked at him, and for the first time in my life a human being didn't look real to me. ... I don't know if y'all watching 'Chappelle's Show,' but he talked about a certain incident where he seen, somebody seen Rick James, and, like, I literally seen his aura. Like, it looked like he was glowing, and I'm sitting there and I'm saying to myself, like, 'Man, that's Mike.' And I'm looking at him, and I can't stop looking at him, like, I'm looking at his shoes, and I'm like, 'Man, he got on the Jordans.'"
Shaquille O'Neal (2016)
Speech summary: Humor was the prevailing theme in Shaq's speech. O'Neal flashed his famous grin throughout, joking about his Buick commercial where he had $3 million reasons to find a way to squeeze himself into the seat of the car and also thanking family, teammates, coaches, fans and even NBA commissioners while offering playful jabs along the way.
Memorable quote: ''My father, Sgt. Harrison, was a disciplinarian. He was firm, but fair. He realized that I was going to be a big guy, and I remember he made me memorize three names that he would quiz me on. In his eyes these three guys were gods of the game: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. ... I know Wilt and my father are in heaven smiling down upon us. If I know my father, he's up there arguing with Wilt Chamberlain right now, trying to convince him that his son is the most dominant big man that ever played the game.''
Funniest line: Thanking his teammates with the Lakers, Shaq saved the best for last. "Last but not least, the great Kobe Bryant, a guy that would push me. Kobe Bryant, a guy who would push me and help me win three titles, but who also helped me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami."
Honorable Mention: Charles Barkley (2006); David Robinson (2009); Oscar Schmidt (2013)