MIAMI (AP) -Reaction to the announcement Saturday that Michael Irvin, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Matthews, Gene Hickerson, Charlie Sanders and Roger Wehrli will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
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``I was fortunate to play on some great football teams. I started out playing right here at St. Thomas, right up the street in Fort Lauderdale. St. Thomas is one of the greatest high schools in this country today. I played in college right up the street at the University of Miami. You guys know how I feel about 'The U.' I was blessed also to play with the Dallas Cowboys. When I think about it, you can't have three better stops.'' - Irvin, on being in his native South Florida for the Hall of Fame announcement.
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``He was a guy who showed up every day prepared to give it everything that he had on the practice field. He knew his assignments, knew exactly what he was being asked to do. Showed up on game day and played as hard as anybody. He was our emotional leader. He really, because of the way that he practiced, his work ethic, brought a level of competition to our practices that I think raised the level of our entire team.'' - Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, on Irvin.
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``I can tell you firsthand our fans are proud of him. But I'm proud of him because I know how he's had to get up and it wasn't always easy for him.'' - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, on Irvin and the way he overcame off-the-field troubles.
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``I actually didn't get a call. I heard a loud scream. It was my mom, coming down the hallway saying, 'We're in! We're in!' So at that point, I knew I had made it.'' - Thomas, on how he learned he would be entering the Hall of Fame.
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``One of the reasons I'm in the Hall of Fame is Thurman Thomas. The first time I saw him as a rookie, I knew he was something special.'' - Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.
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``I'd like to take credit for it. But I was blessed with so many great coaches and family and people that made it an absolute joy. I never considered it a job. It's an absolute blessing for me and I'm still living that dream, so to speak.'' - Matthews.
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``He was a quiet leader, but when he did speak up, he commanded everyone's attention. It was a privilege to run behind him as a running back. I brag all the time that I was able to play with Bruce.'' - Running back Eddie George, on Matthews, who blocked for George for six seasons.
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``It was such a relief to finally get the phone call.'' - Hickerson.
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``Nobody knows blockers better than the guys who ran behind him, and I for one am proud that he is in the Hall of Fame. He was the best blocker on a good blocking team.'' - Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, who played with Hickerson on the Cleveland Browns.
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``It's a special thing for me to look back on my career and know that all of the good, all of the bad feelings and all of the people that have touched me, smiled at me, helped me in this sport, all played a part in me standing up here today.'' - Sanders.
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``I'm here. It took a long time. It's all good.'' - Sanders.
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``I'm almost speechless. I don't know what to say. But it's just a dream come true.'' - Wehrli.
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``You look back on your career and I feel I had a wonderful career with a lot of great friends and memories that I took from professional football. But something like this, it just puts a cap on it.'' - Wehrli.
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``A good man and legitimate Hall of Famer is being denied entry for reasons we never know, by people who secretly vote. Art Monk is a Hall of Famer by any measure. This is not right.'' - Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, on Art Monk, who was one of 17 finalists for induction.
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