Hall of Fame Press Conference Quotes

Dec. 4, 2007

Courtesy of the National Football Foundation

NEW YORK -- News Conference Quotes from National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame:

(Asked about how football had affected their lives and how they felt about their inductions)

2007 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Quotes

"I started playing flag football as a young kid," said Tom Brahaney, the Oklahoma center from 1970-72, "And worked my way through the ranks of high school, Oklahoma and the NFL. I received the football and notification about the Hall of Fame and felt like part of a team again. This just rejuvenates you, and I feel exhilarated. I want to thank my coaches and teammates and everyone responsible for this wonderful honor."

"I want to thank all of you on behalf of our family for this honor for Dave," said Rhonda Brown, wife of Michigan defensive back Dave Brown who passed away in 2006 and played from 1972-74 for the Wolverines. "He was an exceptional man, a loving father, a wonderful husband, and an outstanding football player. We are so happy to be continuing his legacy with the College Football Hall of Fame. Dave always wanted to be the best, and he loved to mentor football players. He had strong leadership characteristics and was a humble person."

"I want to thank everyone and am very grateful to the Hall of Fame," said Jeff Davis, the Clemson linebacker who played from 1978-1981. "As a little boy I played the game of football for fun. I thank God for his blessings and the work ethic that my mother and grandmother instilled in me as I got into college. Jonathan Mckee, who has passed away, was a great high school coach and mentor, and playing at Clemson was part of my childhood dream."

"Getting to the Hall of Fame means that I had to throw more than one pass," said Boston College Quarterback Doug Flutie who played from1981-84. "There's a colleague of mine who reminds me often of that pass in our television studio. I was very fortunate as an undersized guy at a small school to have a great group of guys around me. It truly was a team effort."

"I echo what has been said about teammates and good fortune," said Texas defensive back Johnnie Johnson, who played from 1976-79. "We are very lucky just to have played in the college game. I always tried to play at the highest degree possible and was encouraged and helped by my teammates. Throughout college and even high school, I never thought I would be here to receive this. You meet all these great people and fellow inductees, introduce them to your children and try to apply some of their life principles."

"This is a tremendous honor," said Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern, who played from 1968- 70. "Congratulations to the Ohio State University, my coaches and teammates. It was three years of great fun, and you know there are some schools represented here who don't usually throw the ball around a lot. I can't recall a greater honor, and I am humbled."

"This is sort of a culmination of several things," said Oregon running back Ahmad Rashad, who played from 1969-71. "Football taught people to win and lose as a group and to live life the right way. We all realize that this truly is a team honor. Football has brought me nothing but joy. I also have four children who have no idea about my playing career, but that's okay."

"This is a long way from the playing fields of Terre Haute, Ind.," said Indiana running back Anthony Thompson, who played from 1986-89. "Football taught me about the game of life. I am a pastor in Bloomington, Ind., and this has taught me to challenge and bring out the best in our congregation through the teaching of the holy word. I am just so grateful to God and many others who have blessed me in so many ways through football."

"My family and I would like to thank you for this wonderful honor for Wilson," said Norma Whitley, who spoke on behalf of her late husband Wilson Whitley, the Houston defensive tackle who passed away in 1992. "I was a little hesitant when they called and asked me to respond on behalf of my husband, but we are very appreciative. Wilson was a humble man, too, and he loved his coaches and teammates. This is a huge validation to what he did, and I know he would be do glad that I was sitting next to his NFL teammate Reggie Williams at the news conference."

"I am just leaving corporate America to try and see if I can get some old football injuries recuperated," said Dartmouth Linebacker Reggie Williams, who played from 1973-75. "I got a little choked up about what Norma Whitley said, and he was a wonderful teammate with the Cincinnati Bengals. There may be more titanium (in artificial limbs) at this table than any place locally besides the surgical hospitals, but that's okay. Football matures you and makes you seek bigger goals."

"Thank you to the National Football Foundation," said Southern California linebacker Richard Woods, who played from 1972-74. "Being back in New York reminds me of when coach Joe Paterno was recruiting me for Penn State when I lived in Elizabeth, N.J. I'm just a linebacker who loved the game and played on some very good teams. It is just very wonderful to be here at this meeting with such a great group."

"I'm very thankful to the NFF and College Hall of Fame," said Notre Dame defensive tackle Chris Zorich, who played from 1987-90. "I didn't play football until high school, and I had to forge my mother's signature on a permission slip. I grew up in a rough part of Chicago, and our role models were the firemen and some people who were in the Army near our home. I got to play football and fell in love with Notre Dame, and it has carried me a long way."

"I have been at Penn State for 57 years and the last 42 as head coach," said Penn State head coach Joe Paterno. "... including my time in high school I have been involved with football for 64-65 years. I echo everyone's sentiments about these magnificent honors, and I'm just sorry not to be here with Bobby Bowden."

"I want to congratulate all the inductees and thank the Hall of Fame," said Coach Herb Deromedi, who coached at Central Michigan from 1978-93. "I have many people to thank for the opportunity to be head coach at Central Michigan for 16 years, especially for Roy Kramer, who hired me as a young high school coach to go to Central Michigan as his assistant. This award is a credit to our players and coaching staffs. I was fortunate to be around outstanding people who dedicated themselves to winning."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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