Andre Tippett's HOF speech

I think it interesting and telling that while Mr. Tippett played for prior ownership, no mention was made of prior generations of Patriots teams, and the teammates he played with. There were several quality players he played with and several quality teams he played on. Unfortunately the Patriots of his generation were a unique entity in the world of professional sports and sports management /ownership

Re-read the speech - you missed parts of it. he definitely talked about his team mates.

A terrific speech!

Harold, it doesn't seem like you really listened to or read Andre's speech or Bob Kraft's introduction...I watched it live and Tippett specifically thanked the linebackers he played with, as well as Hannah and Haynes, many coaches including Berry, cited the fact they were the first Pats Super Bowl team, and thanked his ownership/front office, the Sullivans and Dick Steinberg. I don't know what else you can reasonably expect the man to do in an induction speech. Read the transcript, it's all in there.

Congrats to #56, this is a truly deserved honor. In my opinion he was second only to LT among linebackers from his generation, and was the best Pats defensive player of all time.

Harold, you must have missed it because he did mention the former owners, the sullivans, Dick Steinberg, and several of his former team mates, including Blackmon, Nellie and Mcgrew amongst others. Very nice speach. I cant believe it took them this long to induct him. Obviously they never saw him play, or they were'nt paying attention.

What the hell are you talking about?
He said...
'To the backers, I love you all. Blackmon, Weishuhn, McGrew, [inaudible], Rembert, Reynolds, Nelly, we were a tight group. We were the ‘backers and I'm sorry for not having the T shirt this year. To all my other teammates, thank you, all of you, for your work ethic and your contribution to the New England Patriots. We had a lot of good times and some great, great memories. '

Stop smoking that crap...

Harold,
Did you watch and listen to Tippett's speech?? He mentioned many teammates, including Don Blackmon, he also mentioned Ray Berry and Rod Rust as well as mentioning Dick Steinberg and Pat Sullivan. I think your comments are "interesting and telling."

Read it again Herald S. He did indeed mention his teammates, "Blackmon, Weishuhn, McGrew, [inaudible], Rembert, Reynolds, Nelly, we were a tight group. "

A poised, fast-paced, incredible speech, that paid homage to family, owners, coaches, players, and those who have shared the dojang with him. Moistened this cynic's eyes with tears of pride for this career-Patriot who is a winner on the football field, in the front office, and in life. Andre Tippett was a beast on game day, a role model always, and a standard-bearer for the focus and power generated by the martial arts. Who wouldn't want to train with this guy, as long as you didn't have to spar with him. Looks like he could still put on the pads today. God bless him.

What an incredible presentation all around! These are very classy guys who can't help but inspire the soul of humanity. It was just an amazing event to witness and feel. All of the stories were powerful.
I remember John Hannah back in the late 60's and early 70's; I loved to watch Andre play his game. It seems everything was a bit different back then and reviewing those moments last night left me feeling a sense of deep appreciation and loss. These men are the real deal and I am better off for watching yesterday's presentation. Thank you all!
Congratulations Andre Tippett; all the best to you and those you love...

Maybe I'm confused, but what's this?

Email|Link|Comments (1) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 2, 2008 08:15 PM

Hall of Fame inductee Andre Tippett, right, uncovers his bronze bust with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. (AP)

CANTON, Ohio -- The following is the complete transcript of Andre Tippett's Hall of Fame speech, provided by the NFL and ASAP Sports:

"Thank you, Robert Kraft. As Robert told you guys, he and I have shared so much personally and professionally. When I was contemplating retirement, he chose to keep me in the front office, and for that I'm ever grateful. He and I share a common bond of loyalty and family. I love Robert, Myra, his sons Jonathan, Danny, Josh and David. A lot of those guys I get to see every day. Robert, thank you again for believing in me. I am so proud to have been a Patriot for 26 years. I hope to be a Patriot for another 26 years.

"Thank you for presenting me. As I stand here today, I feel like the man standing on the North Pole. And the only way to go from here is south.

"I shall cherish this moment for the rest of my life. To the city of Canton and the dedicated folks who run the Hall of Fame, your warmth and hospitality you have shown my family has been incredible. I can't wait to return every year. To the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee, thank you for believing in me, especially Ron Borges, the best in the business. Thank you, Ron, for your commitment and persistence.

"Thank you also to Stacey James and his [media relations] staff for supporting me. To the Class of 2008, Emmitt, Fred, Art, Darrell and Gary, you guys exemplify character, pride and desire. I am honored to be forever linked to you guys. Congratulations to you.

Tippett delivers his speech (AP)
"As I look out at all these great men sitting here, I can't believe I'm joining this fraternity. I tell our young players to know their history, because you are the living representatives of that history. 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. I studied all the great players like Ham, Lanier, Youngblood, Bobby Bell, Lee Roy Selmon and many more.

"Some kids play cops and robbers. I emulated you. You are my heroes. Even in my college years, my teammate and I, Brad Webb, would pretend we were the Steelers linebackers in our Iowa black and gold. Brad Webb was Jack Ham and I was Dennis Winston.

"To my contemporaries, you also inspired me. The linebackers of the '80s. You guys set the standard for how to play the position. You are ... we are ... the best of the best.

"My journey here has been a long one. And it hasn't always been easy along the way. So many people have touched my life. I'd like to use this time to thank as many of them as I can. Frances Tippett, my mom. What can I say about my mom. Thank you for teaching me perseverance. Life wasn't easy for us moving from Birmingham, Alabama to Newark, New Jersey, with not much more than the clothes on our back. Through my mother I learned to be accountable for my actions and understand the consequences of those actions. And with that you better believe my mom she made me appreciate, understanding what's right and what's wrong. She ruled with love and a whole lot of discipline. Mom, I love you and thank you for that.

"To my brothers, Gregory, Reginald, Kelvin and Gerard and my sister Yvette, my stepdad Willy Lovett and my uncle, Eugene Tippett, and my nieces and nephews, thank you for making the trek out here to celebrate this special day for us.

"To all my Newark friends and family and the folks here from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Iowa, Chicago, Michigan, Massachusetts, thank you all for being here today.

"I was a player I became because of the great coaches and teammates I was surrounded by. From the day I was cut from my freshman football team at Barringer High School, Coach Frank Verducci instilled in me the proper mindset to play this great game. My high school model 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 names. 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.

"Thank you all of my Barringer teammates, in particular Prentice Walker and Cedric Shaw for leading the way. You guys were the real role models for me. When I later arrived at Iowa, Hayden Fry delivered on his promise to turn the program into a winner. We went from the laughing stock of the conference to winning the Big Ten championship and being the Rose Bowl representatives. I owe a debt of gratitude to the University of Iowa and my teammates, some who are here today, Brad Webb, Michael Hooks, Keith Hunter, Norman Granger and some of the assistant coaches including Howard Sissu and Bernie Wyatt who recruited me. Thank you for the opportunity.

"To my second family, the New England Patriots, Dick Steinberg and the Sullivan family. Dick Steinberg is no longer here with us, but everybody knows that Dick had a great eye for talent and he was a beautiful person. To the Steinberg family, thank you. And to Pat Sullivan, thank you for everything that you did for me. Thank you.

"Raymond Berry, innovative player, same as a coach. He taught me the value of preparation and understanding the business is winning football games. Under Coach Berry we became the first team to take the organization to the Super Bowl. The single greatest moment of my career. Coach, thank you for everything.

"Rod Rust, without him I would not have had the career I had in New England. He was the mad scientist we all grew to love. To some of my defensive coaches, Sidwell, Shinnick, Ray Hamilton, Eddie Khayat, and even Donny Blackmon. [inaudible], Al Groh, Romeo Crennel, thank you all for the lessons you taught me.

"To the backers, I love you all. Blackmon, Weishuhn, McGrew, [inaudible], Rembert, Reynolds, Nelly, we were a tight group. We were the ‘backers and I'm sorry for not having the T shirt this year. To all my other teammates, thank you, all of you, for your work ethic and your contribution to the New England Patriots. We had a lot of good times and some great, great memories.

"To the veterans who helped show the way, John Hannah and Mike Haynes, when I was young and to the young guys who challenged me as I became the old man on the team, thank you guys. "

Harold, I think I've missed your point. A.T. did indeed mention past players (see the lines about Blackmon, Nelly, Hannah, etc...), past coaches, and past ownership (Pat Sullivan). The Sullivans were the original owners so you can't go back farther than that. He did a terrific job of showing gratitude to the many people who influenced his life and career. Someone is always left out, but I was very impressed with the humble attitude he displayed, on a day when he's being brought into a place where he has every right to not be humble.

I think it was a truly heartfelt speech and one he should be proud of.

As a grad of the University of Iowa and lifelong Patriots fan (Boston born here), I can't be happier for A.T. Just awesome!

Yeah! Another great Iowa Hawkeye - a product of the Hayden Fry era - makes it all the way to the top. The Hawkeye Nation is beaming with pride! I loved watching you play when I was a young girl growing up in Iowa. Your legacy lives on at Kinnick Stadium. Congratulations to an outstanding man!

Its about time Andre!

Years ago Barringer High had some tremendous teams and talent. Frank Verducci is one of the great coaches that NJ has ever had. AT definitely gave the props to his old high school coach who obviously had a profound impact on his life.