CANTON, Ohio — Stamped inside Terrell Davis’ newest piece of clothing is a patch that reads:
Terrell Davis
Class of 2017
305
Davis, the Broncos’ all-time leading rusher and 21st member of their Ring of Fame, is officially a member of a new class. Friday evening, Davis and the rest of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 received their signature gold jackets in a ceremony attended by many members of years past.
For 15 years since he retired and 11 since he became eligible for the Hall, Davis awaited this moment. Each passing year and all 10 rejections before made acceptance into the Hall that much sweeter.
“This is what you look forward to, you get the jacket on,” Davis said. “I just tried to have a clear mind about it and not think about anything but the moment.”
. finally gets his gold jacket.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala)
After his name was called during introductions, tears filled Davis’ eyes as he glanced over at his wife and children. Then he gave three Mile High Salutes and slowly made his way through “the gauntlet,” a catwalk lined by fellow Hall of Famers. Hand after hand he shook before making his way to the small stage in the middle of the auditorium inside the Canton Civic Center.
“I always get emotional when I think about my family. That was it,” Davis said. “I was pretty good going down the gauntlet, but then when I got to the end I looked around was like ‘whoa.’ It’s a happy time. We’re blessed. It was just great to have them there and to see this moment and to share this with them.”
Moments later, Davis was called back to the stage as a short highlight reel of his seven-year career played for the audience. His agent Neil Schwartz stood alongside him, gold jacket in hand. On cue, Schwartz pulled off Davis’ gray suit jacket and slid the mustard-gold jacket over his shoulders.
“You saw when my jacket came off I was pretty excited to get this jacket on,” Davis said with a wide grin. “When you put it on, it makes it official. I’m a Hall of Famer now.”
Terrell Davis: Hall of Famer No. 305.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala)
