First up was Kenny Easley. Easley was the 1983 and 1984 AFC Defensive Player of the Year, followed by another Defensive Player of the Year. His career was also cut short by injury.
The following are the 2017 NFL Hall Of Fame Leadership Quotes And Lessons from Kenny Easley:
- Easley quoted Philippians 4:6 -“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
- Some people I should be in the Hall earlier. I don’t believe that.
- “There is a season for eveything. And why we sometimes try to figure it out, God has already worked it out.” – Kenny’s pastor Rev. Tyrone Armstrong
- Kenny Easley, Hall of Fame #306, is grateful to be in your ranks.
- It’s been said the wealth of a husband and wife lies in the quality of their children. If true, then Gail and I are wealthy beyond measure.
- Winning starts at the top.
- You occupy the mind the body will follow.
Next up is Jason Taylor. Taylor’s career resume is incredible! The 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and All-Decade Team member accumulated 139.5 sacks, three safeties, six Pro Bowl appearances and tied a league record with 29 fumble recoveries over 15 years. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2000s.
The following are the 2017 NFL Hall Of Fame Leadership Quotes And Lessons from Jason Taylor:
- When you (Jimmy Johnson) drafted me in 1997, guys like me didn’t play in the NFL. We were called “tweeners” which is a derogatory term. Now they’re called “hybrids” and everyone wants them.
- Nobody gets here on their own. Gratitude is at the core of everything and I say and do today.
- My father was never in the picture. I never met him. My mom kept us in the picture. She was our rock.
- It’s such a small thing but it’s a big thing – caring.
- Football found me. Football rescued me.
- Football opened up a whole new world for me.
- Anyone who plays football will tell you when they quit, what they miss the most is the guys.
- Every snap mattered.
- There’s a real bond that can be developed in the fire of fight and admiration given grudgingly is the highest respect.
- No matter what you do in life or a profession, I want to be a great dad.
- I never had a father. There’s no bigger honor, there’s no bigger blessing, and there’s no greater job in this world than being a father.
- I made to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. But when I die, all I want in this world is for my kids to be able to say, “He was a Hall Of Fame dad. That’s the most important thing to me.”
- I have one regret and only one. I was so focused on the destination I didn’t enjoy the ride enough.
- Enjoy your journey.
- Embrace your successes and your failures.
- Wonderful experiences become distant memories too fast. I wish I had the gratitude then I have now.
- Easy doesn’t get you here.
- If it were easy, there’d be no Jason Taylor. Ease is a greater threat to growth than hardship.
- Keep moving. Keep growing, learning, loving.
- My football career ends forever, here tonight. My gratitude is eternal.
Upon his retirement after the 2004 season, the seven-time Pro Bowler Morten Anderson held NFL records with 2,544 career points, 565 field goals and 382 games played. He was named to the 1980s and 1990s NFL All-Decade teams.
The following are the 2017 NFL Hall Of Fame Leadership Quotes And Lessons from Morten Anderson:
- With age comes wisdom and perspective. I know now that quality life is all about purposeful living with people that you love and respect. The focus in on “we” and not “me”.
- I wanted to finish on my terms.
- Bring your will and perseverance to everything worth doing. When the reward is sublime, the risks are higher and you must embrace the uncomfortable to go into that rarified air of excellence.
- The precision of the specialist is important, relevant and undeniable.
- What you give will grow and what you keep will perish.
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