CANTON, Ohio — A storm with bad intentions swept across the Pro Football Hall of Fame campus Saturday morning.
Thunder. Lightning, Gusting winds. Rain that came down in sheets.
At one point, thousands who had gathered for the noon enshrinement ceremony for the Class of 2024 were ordered to seek shelter. The hallowed event was delayed more than 90 minutes until things settled down.
It was disruptive, even dangerous.
What a perfect lead-in for Dwight Freeney.
During a 16-year career that included the first 11 as the chaos-causing catalyst for the Indianapolis Colts’ defense, Freeney was a personification of disruption: 125.5 sacks, more than 150 quarterback hits, 128 tackles for loss and 47 forced fumbles.
“He was arguably the best Colt defender in our 60-plus year history,’’ owner Jim Irsay insisted during his introductory video.
Freeney was that force of nature offensive coordinators had to deal with on a weekly basis.
The weather finally relented Saturday afternoon, even though sprinkles and an overcast sky remained.
But everything was sunshine and rainbows for Freeney.
For the third time, a Colt had chosen Irsay to present him for enshrinement. Freeney followed the leads of Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison.
“I’m so touched and honored that he asked me to induct him because owners don’t get asked very often,’’ said Irsay.
Irsay used a wheelchair to share the stage with Freeney. He’s still in rehab mode following leg surgery.
Opting for Irsay, Freeney insisted during the early portion of his acceptance speech, was a no-brainer.
“You are by by far the best owner in the National Football League and I appreciate you my friend for all that you do,’’ he said.
Freeney used the bulk of his speech to thank the dozens and dozens of individuals who helped support and push him to a stage shared by a slew of Hall of Famers sporting their famed yellow jackets.
“I’m proud to be a part of this amazing class,’’ he said. “Nobody gets to this stage without hard work, sacrifice and an amazing team and community around you.’’
Initially, there were parents Hugh and Joy.
His father was his first coach while mom was “at everyone one of my games since high school’’ and “always protected me and covered me with prayer.’’
Freeney then confessed a youthful indiscretion to his mother.
“I want to say I’m so, so sorry for the time I jumped out of the window when I was 2 years old,’’ he said with a sheepish grin. “Second-story window of our babysitter’s house. But who knows? Maybe that day…created my spin move.’’
Freeney credited older brother Hugh Jr. for the constant motivation which came from their family tussles.
“Boy, we used to get after it,’’ he said. “We put dents in walls, holes in ceilings and even destroyed a few mailboxes. We played NBA Finals in the garage, World Series in the backyard and Super Bowl Sundays in the front.
“If I didn’t try to keep up with you, I may not be here today.”
Freeney brought tears to the eyes of wife Brittany, who was holding 1-year old daughter Alana in her lap with 3-year old Olivia nearby.
“Brit,’’ he said, “you made the journey after retirement an easier road.’’
And his daughters?
“From time to time, I think about coming out of retirement,’’ Freeney said. “Just one more year…until I realized I can’t even catch my 3-year old running down the hallway with the TV remote.
“It’s crazy, I went from chasing quarterbacks in the league to pulling hamstrings chasing my kids.’’
Freeney’s Thank You comments included Jack Cochran, his coach at Bloomfield (Conn.) High School and Paul Pasqualoni, his coach at Syracuse.
He keeps a special place in his heart for a pair of Hall of Fame “teammates:’’ Tony Dungy and Bill Polian. He made it a point to mention Bruce Arians, Jim Caldwell and John Teerlinck, the late defensive line coach with the Colts.
Freeney recalled one of Teerlinck’s money quotes: “It’s always a pass, unless it’s a run.’’
“Your teachings were legendary,’’ he said. “If there every should be a position coach in the Hall of Fame, it should be you. I wish you were here today. Rest in peace, big fella.’’
Freeney needed extra time to recognize teammates who helped the Colts become a championship-level force in the 2000s. They won the Super Bowl in 2006 and reached the championship game after the 2009 season.
Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James were on the stage with the other Hall of Famers. He went down a roster-length supporting cast: Robert Mathis, Tarik Glenn, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Reggie Wayne, Bob Sanders, Cato June, Kelvin Hayden, Marline Jackson, David Thornton and so many others.
He projected Hall of Fame status for Wayne and Mathis.
“Reggie, the time is coming,’’ he said. “Keep the faith.
“To Robert Mathis, one day you’ll be up here, man.’’
Finally, Freeney offered a global expression of gratitude.
“I also want to thank this great game of football for giving me the opportunity to express myself and my creativity so well,’’ he said. “I always felt like I was an artist and the football field was my canvass.
“If you’re a young, aspiring, future NFL player, let me say this: Football is not an easy game. It can seem like an impossible journey. But always remember your hard work and sacrifice are the keys to opening the door to your dreams.
“People will call you too slow, too short, not tough enough, not strong enough. Use those words as fuel to ignite the internal fire that will motivate you, that will push you to places that you never thought we possible.’’
