ESPN NFL commentators and President John Skipper respond to the news that former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter, an ESPN NFL analyst, and two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Parcells, an ESPN NFL contributor, will be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013. …“Cris was not only one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history, he was a consummate team player who made everyone around him better. Bill Parcells is one of the most respected football minds of his or any era. He won two Super Bowls and helped build multiple franchises from the ground up. Both continue to contribute to the game today by sharing their perspective on ESPN with fans. On behalf of everyone at ESPN, I congratulate them on this prestigious honor and we look forward to being in Canton for the induction in August.”
— John Skipper, ESPN President
“Through the years we had fun saying, ‘Cris Carter, all he does is catch touchdowns.’ Today all he does is get in the Hall of Fame. I congratulate him as a colleague and as a fan. … Bill Parcells’ mark on the NFL is indelible and will be for decades to come. His ability to see football’s little picture and big picture at the same time is remarkable. I congratulate him as a colleague, but much more importantly, I thank him for always reaching for greatness. Today is proof that he achieved it. … Being emcee at the Hall of Fame is one of my favorite days of the year and to share a podium with Cris and Bill will make that day even more special for me, and I can only imagine what it’s going to be like for them.”
— Chris Berman, Host, ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, and emcee of the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony
“Cris is the player I credit with having the greatest set of hands in the National Football League. We said affectionately, ‘All he did was catch touchdowns,’ but that’s not all he did. His induction is overdue.”
— Tom Jackson, Analyst, ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown
“I am so proud to have played for Bill Parcells. He is a true teacher of men. You always knew where you stood with him, and I trusted him as much as any coach I ever played for … at any level. I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to play for him because he helped shape my career in so many ways. I congratulate him on this Pro Football Hall of Fame honor which he is so deserving.”
— Keyshawn Johnson, Analyst, ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, who played for Parcells both with the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys
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ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden also offered his thoughts on Warren Sapp, one of his former players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl XXXVII championship team, who was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013:
“I am thrilled for Warren Sapp, the engine of the 43 defense. He’s the most dominating inside presence I’ve been around: tremendous athletic ability, tenacity, discipline and football intelligence every single snap. He was a natural – even a great tight end. It’s a great day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
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