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On Saturday night, Seattle Seahawks legend Steve Hutchinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as a member of the Class of 2020. Although Hutchinson is going into the Hall as a Viking, having spent much of his prime in Minnesota, he will always be celebrated as one of the key members of the Seahawks teams of the early 2000s, helping Shaun Alexander to the best seasons of any Seahawks running back ever, not to mention his 2005 NFL MVP and record-breaking 28 touchdowns.
Before celebrating with former Seahawks teammate and fellow Hall-of-Famer Walter Jones Saturday night, Hutchinson delivered a heartfelt speech to the crowd. Here are some of the highlights.
"As far as I'm concerned, there's not a better place on Earth than Canton, Ohio today" -Steve Hutchinson #ProFootballHOF
— Wilson Conn (@wilson_conn) August 8, 2021
"I thank Mike Holmgren for giving me an opportunity by drafting me. I know I didn't leave there with us being on the best of terms, but over the years we've gotten reconnected, and for that I'm glad" -Steve Hutchinson #ProFootballHOF
— Wilson Conn (@wilson_conn) August 8, 2021
"Walt [Jones], I would have loved to play every snap in my career next to you. For as great as you were as a player, you're a better friend" -Steve Hutchinson #ProFootballHOF
— Wilson Conn (@wilson_conn) August 8, 2021
Hutchinson was drafted by the Seahawks in 2001 and emerged as one of the top left guards in the NFL in 2003, when he made his first Pro Bowl and was selected to First-Team All Pro. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s after outstanding seasons for both the Seahawks and the Vikings.
Years after his retirement, Hutchinson has now returned to Seattle, having been hired by Seattle as a football consultant in 2020. You can watch his full speech here.
So deserving, @HutchSevenSix.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 8, 2021
Listen to his full #PFHOF20 speech ⬇ pic.twitter.com/fXeCNRRTDW