When I was coming out of college I originally did not want to be drafted by a New York football team. But after I got over being selected by the Football Giants I decided to make the most of the opportunity. I was scouted by Giants Hall of Famers Emlen Tunnell and Rosie Brown while still at South Carolina State University. With names like that still involved with the team it didn’t take long for me to realize that the New York Football Giants were an organization rich in history and tradition. Some of you may have heard me say this before but I will share it one more time. My one goal as a player was, at the end of my career, to be “mentioned in the same breath” as other Giants greats like those I became familiar with.
On October 3rd at halftime of the Giants/Bears game my goal was formally realized as I was inducted into the Giants “Ring of Honor”. That evening my name was formally mentioned with New York Giants greats like: Tunnell and Brown along with Frank Gifford, Charley Conerly, YA Tittle, Sam Huff, Andy Robustelli, Dick Lynch, Joe Morrison and Pete Gogolak. Those were the Giant players who preceded me on the football field. Other players who also gained the same recognition but were my peers or followed my career were George Martin, Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan Jessie Armstead, Tiki Barber and Amani Toomer.
I congratulate them all and acknowledge that the honor is all mine to be recognized with them as all our names are mentioned in the same breath being a part of New York Giants history!