Brees, Fitzgerald, Kuechly enter Hall of Fame
ESPN · 2026-08-08
Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, and Luke Kuechly were formally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on August 8, 2026. Brees, a prolific quarterback, reflected on how being benched three times early in his career, particularly by coach Marty Schottenheimer, ignited a drive that propelled him to success. He grew emotional thanking former coach Sean Payton for his vision and mentorship. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, introduced by his son Devin, emphasized the importance of helping others achieve excellence, rather than focusing solely on personal fame. Fitzgerald, who played his entire 17-year career with the Cardinals, ranks second in NFL history for receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492), and sixth with 121 touchdown catches. Linebacker Luke Kuechly, introduced by his father Tom, highlighted the life lessons learned from football, including resilience, consistency, and the value of communication, on the same field where he won a state championship with St. Xavier High School in 2007.
*The full article also explores additional anecdotes and reflections from the inductees' careers and their emotional acceptance speeches.*