Wire Notes: Cheers, tears for Hall inductees

CANTON, Ohio — The glory of the newest Hall of Famers' achievements was punctuated by a steady stream of tears and a singular chant:

"REG-GIE, REG-GIE."

Though a fair share of the crowd sported No. 8 jerseys in tribute to Troy Aikman, their passion Saturday was reserved for the late Reggie White.

The two joined John Madden, Rayfield Wright, Harry Carson and former University of Washington Husky Warren Moon as the newest inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Nearly all of them choked up or cried during the four-hour ceremony, even the usually unflappable Aikman. Most poignant was the way White, also an ordained preacher who died in December 2004, was honored.

His son, Jeremy, was White's presenter, and his widow, Sara, made the acceptance speech. Both crying, they shared a long hug after unveiling Reggie's bust before a rapt audience.

"Reggie was an honest, humble, honorable, dedicated, determined, passionate and caring man," Sara White said. "He is inducted today not only because of his athletic achievements, but because he was a great player on the field in accordance with being a great person throughout life."

Often, the fans chanted Reggie's name. It didn't matter if they were dressed in Packers or Eagles green — a collection of current Eagles, including Donovan McNabb, sat in the crowd wearing White's No. 92 — or even Cowboys, Giants or Oilers blue or Raiders black.

They all stood and cheered for the Minister of Defense, including Aikman, Dallas' three-time Super Bowl-champion quarterback.

"I too am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, a great player and a man who left us too soon," Aikman said. "It's an honor to be a member of the Hall of Fame class that includes five men I have so much admiration and respect for."

Aikman's voice cracked as he explained his emotions:

"I was able to live a dream. I played professional football," he said. "That I was able to do so with so many great players and coaches and win three championships and wind up here — it is almost too much to believe. I am humbled to be welcomed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

White was a two-time defensive player of the year who made 13 straight Pro Bowls. He was the career sacks leader with 198 when he retired — Bruce Smith since has passed him — and won a Super Bowl with Green Bay in 1997 after starting his illustrious career in the USFL, then moving to Philadelphia.

"It's not how we die, it's how we live," Sara White said. "I encourage you to live like Reggie lived. His legacy will live on through you."

Madden might be best known now for his announcing and his video game, but he was 36-16-2 against other coaches in the Hall.

Carson became the first inside linebacker from a 3-4 defense to make it to Canton. It was a long-awaited honor — he retired in 1988 after 13 seasons, nine Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl title with the New York Giants.

Carson gave his presenter, son Donald, a long hug before addressing the crowd. Donald Carson suffers from a rare blood disorder.

"This isn't about me, this is about my family," Carson said. "I am so thankful my son presented me this afternoon; he is definitely a man. He's been through so much in the last seven months, more than I could ever have gone through. I never knew needles could be so long."

Wright also played 13 seasons, and won two Super Bowls. He retired in 1979 and was voted in by the seniors committee.

He cited the poem "The Road Not Taken" for inspiring his career.

"Through this poem I discovered life would give me choices. It was recognizing those choices that proved to be the greatest challenge," he said in a teary speech. "My instinct was to always take the easy road, but the easy road never came my way.

"I'm privileged to be in such a stellar class."

Notes

• Carson used his induction speech to lobby the NFL for more help for retired players and more diversity in the sport.

"The honor of making it into the Hall of Fame is great, but it was even greater to have the opportunity to play in a league with 18,000 individuals," he said. "I would hope that the leaders of the NFL, the future commissioner and the players association do a much better job of looking out for those individuals. If we made the league what it is, you have to take better care of your own."

Carson also noted that this is the 60th anniversary of Bill Willis integrating the league. He chided pro football for shutting out the likes of Fritz Pollard in the 1920s — Pollard entered the Hall of Fame last year — and urged continued dedication to reform.

• Madden was introduced by Raiders owner Al Davis, the ninth time Davis has been a presenter at the induction ceremony.

Davis, who entered the Hall in 1992, used a walker to support himself as he ran through the litany of Raiders honorees in Canton.

"Nine Raiders legends — nine — are in this Hall," he said, rattling off Jim Otto, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks and Dave Casper. "It's a great inspiration for me to come to this field of dreams every year."

• Seventy Hall of Fame members returned for the festivities, including two inductees from last year: Dan Marino and Steve Young. A moment of silence was held for three Hall of Famers who died in the past year: Wellington Mara, Frank Gatski and Ernie Stautner.