Pro Football Hall of Fame
The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival is one of greatest celebrations in all of sports. It's a must for any football fan. The spectacular 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival that consisted of 19 public events was highlighted by the enshrinement of the Class of 2012 - Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, and Willie Roaf.
Here's a recap of the memorable celebration of the Class of 2012:
- From Enshrinement speeches, special features, to video highlights of the six-man Class of 2012.
- Award winners
- Video Presentations from the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner on Friday, Aug. 3.
- Art McNally (Pioneer Award) | Len Dawson (Pete Rozelle Radio-TV Award) | Tom Kowalski (McCann Award)
- Photos
- Class of 2012 Busts | 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival | HOF Murals
- Perspectives
- Sports historian John Thorn reflects | NFL.com's Dave Dameshek takes an "inside" look at HOF
The season is underway
The New Orleans Saints defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the annual preseason classic from Fawcett Stadium. NFL.com Game Center: Saints 17, Cardinals 10.
HOF Theme
The Hall of Fame's official theme music is used often during Enshrinement Weekend. Joe Montana became synonymous with "comeback" during his Hall of Fame career. Perhaps none of his heroics were finer than this day when he led the 49ers back by scoring on a 1-yard run, connecting on a 71-yard bomb and added another TD pass to rally San Fran from a 35-7 halftime deficit.
Bills running back Antowain Smith helped lead Buffalo back from a 26-0 deficit late in the first half. He led the charge by gaining 129 yards on the ground and scored 3 second half TDs as the Bills posted the second best comeback ever in regular season.
The Cardinals, playing their last season in St. Louis, thrilled Busch Stadium fans with a comeback for the ages. Trailing 28-3 in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals stormed back to stun the Buccaneers. Wide receiver J.T. Smith was on the receiving end of two TD strikes from Neil Lomax to lead his team to victory.
Eagles QB Tommy Thompson threw two first half interceptions which led directly to 10 Washington points. Philadelphia began the second half trailing 24-0 before Thompson's arm warmed up. The Eagles scored 28 unanswered points as Thompson fired three second half TDs including the game-winner with 90 seconds left.
The Lions walked off the Briggs Stadium field to a thunderous ovation after Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne led a wild comeback to upset Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts. Layne hit "Hopalong" Cassidy for the game-winning touchdown pass with 45 seconds to play.
The Eagles trailed 24-0 early in the third quarter to the "host" Cardinals before a tandem of future Hall of Famers - QB Norm Van Brocklin and WR Tommy McDonald took matters into their own hands.
QB Frank Tripucka woke up the Broncos offense late in the third quarter and took just 18 minutes to erase the Patriots 24-point lead. Tripucka fired four touchdown passes on the day to lead the comeback win during the AFL's inaugural season.
The Dolphins had already secured a division championship heading into their final regular season game against the divisional rival Patriots. As such, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and many other regulars did not play. Although the Patriots sprinted to an early 24-0 lead, backup quarterback Earl Morrall and running back Don Nottingham each contributed two TDs to lift the Dolphins to a 34-27 comeback win.
San Fran led 24-0 midway through the third quarter. The Vikings, trailing 24-7 entering the fourth quarter, brought rookie QB Tommy Kramer off the bench. He responded with three fourth quarter TD passes including the game-winning 69-yarder to Sammy White with 1:38 to play.
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