Bryant Young delivers emotional message to his son Colby, who died of cancer, during Hall of Fame speech
On a day full of memories for some of the best NFL players of all time, San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Bryant Young delivered the moment fans will never forget. Young dedicated a portion of his Hall of Fame speech to his son Colby, who died of cancer in 2016.
Young began the heartfelt and emotional message by stating he has mentioned all but one of his children. He then shared Colby's story and explained why remembering Colby was so important on the day Young was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Bryant Young's son Colby lost his battle with cancer when he was just 15 years old. Bryant keeps his son's memory alive, ever day and especially today.
— NFL (@NFL) August 6, 2022
What a beautiful moment. ❤️???? @Bgr8t
????: #PFHOF22 Enshrinement on @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/DxkcCcmaTI
Young said Colby started experiencing headaches at age 13. Doctors discovered and removed a tumor, which was cancerous. Young talked about Colby's heart and determination after that surgery. Colby's cancer returned a year later. He died in Oct. 2016.
Young said Colby wanted to know if he would be remembered after he died. Young said the family "assured Colby we would keep his memory alive and continue speaking his name." Young then directly addressed Colby. Breaking into tears, Young said, "Colby, you live on in our hearts. We will always speak your name."
Fans clapped and gave Young a standing ovation after he delivered that message.
8 inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday
Young was one of six players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Tony Boselli, Cliff Branch, LeRoy Butler, Sam Mills and Richard Seymour were the other five players to make it into the Hall. Boselli became the first member of the Jacksonville Jaguars to receive the honor.
Seymour, a long-time member of the New England Patriots, found a way to poke fun at Tom Brady during his speech.
"We had a young QB, but we made it work."
— NFL (@NFL) August 6, 2022
Wonder who that young QB could've been? ???? @TomBrady@BigSey93
????: #PFHOF22 Enshrinement on @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/CSUJe0W3V9
St. Louis Rams coach Dick Vermeil and long-time NFL official Art McNally were also inducted Saturday. Vermeil immediately turned the spotlight on his players when given the opportunity to speak in front of the crowd.
Dick Vermeil is the definition of a player's coach. ????
— NFL (@NFL) August 6, 2022
????: #PFHOF22 Enshrinement on @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/OS0jGVo7t6
Vermeil also shared a special moment with Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who gave Vermeil the news he would be a Hall of Famer.