Orlando Pace gives emotional Pro Football Hall of Fame speech

CANTON — The final football journey for the kid from Sandusky is complete.Orlando Pace was officially enshrined as the 301st member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday night in front of more than 17,000 in attendance at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton."Always remember, the dream begins as a dream," said Pace, a 1994 Sandusky High School graduate. "The older you get, you begin to realize what it takes to turn that dream into a reality. For me, my dream started when I was seven years old, playing in Sunnyside Park in Sandusky, Ohio."That's when I first began to be aware that because of my size and natural athletic ability, perhaps God had destined me for something special, something great," he added. "Now, here I am in Canton."Pace delivered an emotional speech that touched on the support of his family, growing up in Sandusky, his wife, Carla, and their four children, and many teammates in between from his three years at Ohio State University and 12 years as the left tackle with the St. Louis Rams.At one point, while thanking his immediate family, Pace had to take a break and collect his emotions."This is amazing, man," he said. "There were some rough crowds in Sandusky where gangs and drugs were prevalent. But because of my family's love, faith and guidance, supporting me, I steered clear of that."Pace showed great affection for his mother, Joyce Caffey."She worked two jobs to support my sister and I," he said. "Mom, your selfless dedication to do whatever it took to raise my sister and I was a true blessing. My life work has always been and will continue to be to make you proud."His sister, Katrina, his grandfather, and of course, his late grandmother, Idella, were also mentioned."I know she's smiling down today at this moment. She was the best person I knew," Pace said. "She only saw the best in everyone, which set an example for me. Materially speaking, we didn't have a lot, but what my mother and grandparents provided were values, and a strong work ethic that I live by today."Former Sandusky High football coach Larry Cook, as well as offensive line coach and former longtime Huron head football coach Tony Munafo Sr., and Dale Sartor were also credited by the former standout left tackle.Pace also thanked his Ohio State teammates and head coach, John Cooper, along with the late Korey Stringer, a former offensive tackle and teammate who died in 2001."He was my football role model. He meant so much to me," Pace said. "I was so fortunate to have him in my life. I know he's not here, but I know he's smiling down on us today, and I'd love to share this honor with you, Big K. I love you, man."While listing his many St. Louis teammates, Pace reflected on winning a Super Bowl ring after the team beat Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999."It was a special year, and what made it special was we were all coming into our own and peaking at the right time," he said. "There were no egos and we genuinely enjoyed being around each other. When faced with adversity, we were relentless, and because our selfless attitudes, we accomplished great things together."Before wrapping up his speech, Pace spoke of his children, Justin, who presented him, sons Jalen and Landon, and daughter, Kendall. He called his wife Carla Pace the most important woman in his life."Even though I'm on this stage by myself, I share it with you, all of it," Pace said, addressing his wife directly. "As I move forward post-Hall of Fame, post-football, my goal and promise is to be as caring to my children as my grandmother was to me."I will serve as a role model for success and exemplify unwavering passion, work ethic, dedication and commitment to excellence that can lead to success for anyone with the courage to inspire."Pace, just the 14th player selected No. 1 overall in the 80 years of the NFL Draft to reach Canton, also reflected on his now famous trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a young Blue Streak basketball player. The team was in town to play McKinley High School on the hardwood."This occasion marks a fulfillment of each and every goal I've established for myself in football since the age of 13," Pace said. "For at 13, following a basketball tournament here in Canton, I toured the Hall of Fame and was inspired; me, a kid from Sandusky, that I too could be here one day as well. This became my first goal, and now, here I am, 27 years later, standing in Canton, Ohio, accepting this incredible honor."From high school, through college, to the final game of my career, my goal never wavered," he added. "My name in the Hall of Fame will stand as a lasting reminder, a message that no matter how humble a man's beginnings, success in achieving one's highest goal is possible, if you have the courage to truly believe and the integrity to work as hard as you possibly can to sustain the mental and physical stamina that is required. Not just for one season, but for an entire career. When you set your goal to be your very best, there is no other path."Orlando Pace gives his speech after being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Orlando Pace and his son Justin stand with Orlando's bronze bust that will be forever enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Orlando Pace stands with his bronze bust that will be forever enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Orlando Pace's wife Carla looks up and smiles as her husband talks about their family during his enshrinement speech on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Orlando Pace is introduced as a new inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 6, 2016. Cleveland Brown great Jim Brown is pictured in the orange hat.Orlando Pace's grandfather, sister and mother listen to Pace's enshrinement speech on Saturday, August 6, 2016 in Canton.Orlando Pace stands with his bronze bust that will be forever enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Orlando Pace delivers his enshrinement speech during the ceremony in Canton on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Orlando Pace delivers his enshrinement speech during the ceremony in Canton on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Orlando Pace's Ohio State teammates cheer for their former teammate after being mentioned in his enshrinement speech on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Orlando Pace smiles as he gives his enshrinement speech in Canton on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Orlando Pace delivers his enshrinement speech during the ceremony in Canton on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Orlando Pace shakes the hand of his son Justin after unveiling Orlando's bronze bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on August 6, 2016.Justin and Orlando Pace unveil his bronze bust that will be forever enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 6, 2016.