‘20 years to go 20 miles’: Jason Taylor gives emotional Hall of Fame induction speech

Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor will forever be Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor whenever he is introduced after Saturday night. Taylor, along with six other legendary NFL players, were officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in a ceremony at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Taylor was the second player to be inducted during the ceremony, with the presentation coming from former Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson. After a video presentation from Johnson including highlights of Taylor’s career, the coach and the defensive end unveiled the bronze bust of Taylor which will be added to the Hall of Fame.

Taylor then began a 30-minute speech, thanking his mother; teammates; high school, college, and NFL coaches; owners of the Dolphins, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets; and his family. He highlighted that it took 20 years for him to go 20 miles, but he had officially made the trip from the University of Akron to Canton. He closed his speech, which included laughs (stealing Dan Snyder’s money for 2.5 sacks in Washington) and tears (recalling his 14-year agent Gary Wichard who passed away in 2011 after battling cancer, talking to his mother, brother, sisters, and children), saying, “My gratitude is eternal.”

Dolphins fans’ gratitude for Taylor is likewise eternal.

You can watch the entire speech here:

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