Now, Andre the giant

Tippett delivers a big hit - poignant NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement speech

CANTON, Ohio - As red and white fireworks exploded into the air, former Patriots outside linebacker Andre Tippett stepped forward to deliver his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech last night before 16,664 fans at Fawcett Stadium.

Wearing the traditional gold jacket for inductees, Tippett - after unveiling the bust that now will be a permanent fixture in the Pro Football Hall of Fame - said he had reached the highest point he could have imagined.

"I did not have the material advantages, but through commitment and using the advantages that I did have, and listening to the wise men and women who offered their support, I was able to live my dream," he said.

"This was my dream."

Tippett's 10-minute speech touched on all parts of his life, and was a verbal thank-you note to those who helped him along the way - from family members, to teammates, to coaches. He expressed disbelief that he was on such a grand stage, directing some of his comments to the other Hall of Famers in attendance.

"I can't believe I'm joining this fraternity," he said. "You have inspired me since I was a young boy, dreaming of one day standing here. In my youth, I watched every game I could . . . Some kids play cops and robbers but I emulated you. You are my heroes."

Some of the most meaningful comments came when Tippett reflected on his early years, and his mother, Frances.

"My journey here has been a long one, a long road, and it hasn't always been easy," he said. "What can I say about my mom? Thank you for teaching me perseverance. Life wasn't easy for us, moving from Birmingham, Ala., to Newark, N.J., with not much more than the clothes on our back."

Tippett explained that he learned to be accountable for his actions because his mother "ruled with love and a whole lot of discipline." Then, looking off the stage to his right, where a group of more than 275 family members and friends were seated, Tippett told his mother that he loved her.

Calling family "the most important ingredient" in his life, Tippett also delivered emotional words to his wife, Rhonda, and his children, Janea, Asia, Madison, and Coby.

A tone-setter on the field, where he totaled 100 career sacks, Tippett was the tone-setter for last night's festivities, speaking first at 6:48 p.m., followed by fellow inductees Emmitt Thomas, Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Gary Zimmerman, and Art Monk.

Wearing thick black-rimmed glasses and a red, white, and blue necktie (Patriots colors), Tippett was introduced by Patriots owner Robert Kraft and shared an embrace with him before his speech. Tippett led off his remarks by thanking Kraft and his family for hiring him when he retired.

"I am so proud to be a Patriot for 26 years, and I hope to be a Patriot for another 26 years," he said.

While Tippett's career ended with the Patriots, he reflected to when it started, at Barringer High in Newark. Of Tippett's fast-moving speech, some of the most extensive comments were about his high school years.

"From the day I was cut from my freshman football team, coach Frank Verducci instilled in me the proper mind-set to play this great game," he said. "My high school motto was 'truth, honor, and light.'

"In truth, Coach Verducci taught us to recognize our strengths as well as our weaknesses, and to raise our hand if it was our fault. In honor, he taught us to be proud of our name. He always said, 'Rob me of my money and you have nothing, but rob me of my name and you take my most prized possession.' In light, Coach wanted all of us to get an education. He said, 'Only a fool doesn't go to school.' Coach, thank you, and I love you."

Tippett also made sure to mention former teammates and coaches from high school, the University of Iowa, and the Patriots. In his comments on the Patriots, which he called his "second family," Tippett mentioned the late Dick Steinberg, who drafted him, as well as the Sullivan family, the team's owners at the time. He called Super Bowl XX "the single greatest moment" of his career, and at the end of his speech, he thanked the team's fans.

In his introduction, Kraft called Tippett the most dominant defender in team history, while noting that he holds the franchise record for sacks in a season, with 18.5. He also pointed out that Tippett is the only linebacker in the history of the NFL to record a total of 35 sacks in back-to-back seasons.

Kraft also relayed a story he felt reflected Tippett's character. In 1989, Tippett was recovering from surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital when he spotted Kraft - whom he had first met four years prior - and asked why he was in the hospital. Kraft told him his son, David, had sustained a serious knee injury.

"Andre insisted that I take him to David's room so he could offer him words of encouragement," Kraft told the crowd. "That visit means a tremendous amount to my son and left a lasting impression on me."

Yesterday, the impression Tippett left on the NFL was celebrated on a glorious Ohio day. Tippett soaked it all in - thanking Hall of Fame voter Ron Borges for touting his candidacy, while saying he felt like he was on the North Pole because the only place he could go from here was south.

"I shall cherish this moment for the rest of my life," he said.