Fran Charles, Steve Mariucci and Adam Schefter complete broadcast lineup from Canton
Seven hours of live coverage on Induction Saturday and new NFL's Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame highlight HOF-related programming
NFL Network returns to Canton, Ohio for the 45th Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2008. NFL Network's broadcast team is headlined by 2007 inductee Michael Irvin, Fran Charles, Steve Mariucci, and Adam Schefter for seven hours of live, high-definition coverage on Saturday, August 2 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
Irvin, who last year delivered a stirring Hall of Fame induction speech, joins NFL Network's Hall of Fame team to offer a first-hand perspective of the emotions felt by inductees as they enter the fraternity of pro football legends.
"There's no better example of true passion for the game and the honor felt by becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame than the emotional induction speech given by Michael last year," said NFL Network Executive Producer Eric Weinberger. "His respect for what the Hall of Fame stands for and the legends it celebrates resonates with every football fan. We welcome his insights and knowledge as part of our team from Canton."
Irvin also inspired the recently introduced rookie orientation trips to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each team's rookie class visited Canton to learn about the history of pro football and the opportunities and responsibilities ahead in the NFL.
Induction Saturday coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 2 with NFL Total Access 2008 Hall of Fame Pre-Ceremony, leading into the 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 6 p.m. ET. At 10 p.m. ET, NFL Total Access Post-Induction Show reviews highlights of the ceremony, along with scheduled appearances by inductees Andre Tippett, Darrell Green and other live interviews, including Joe Gibbs.
Coverage from Canton begins Friday, August 1 at 2:30 PM ET with NFL Total Access 2008 Hall of Fame Press Conferences, followed by NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame at 7:00 PM ET. 2008 inductees Gary Zimmerman, Fred Dean and former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo are scheduled to appear.
Leading up to enshrinement weekend, NFL Network features Hall of Fame-related programming, including the debut of NFL's Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame Tuesday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Ricky Watters, Kenny "The Snake" Stabler and "Bullet" Bob Hayes are a few of the legendary players still awaiting their day in Canton.
In addition, NFL Films Presents' Madden: My Road to Canton re-airs Tuesday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m. ET, with Irvin: My Road to Canton following Thursday, July 31 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Following Sunday's Hall of Fame Game, a 30-minute NFL Total Access Postgame Show wraps up all the action from the weekend, including Colts-Redskins game highlights. Paul Burmeister hosts from NFL Network's Los Angeles studio, with Adam Schefter providing interviews from Canton.
NFL Network 2008 Hall of Fame programming schedule
Tuesday, July 29
2:30 p.m. ET -– NFL Films Presents: Madden: My Road to Canton: From his years on the Raiders sidelines to a legendary career in the broadcast booth, NFL Network profiles John Madden's long journey to the Hall of Fame.
8 p.m. ET –- NFL's Top 10: Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame: Ricky Watters, Kenny "The Snake" Stabler and "Bullet" Bob Hayes are a few of the legendary players still awaiting their day in Canton. NFL's Top 10 takes a look at the top players who have not been voted into the Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, July 30
2:30 p.m. ET –- Legends of the Hall #2: Quarterbacks: Rich Eisen sits down with a group of Hall of Fame players discussing the game and their contributions. Cast includes: Joe Namath, Jim Kelly and Dan Fouts.
3 p.m. ET -– Legends of the Hall #3: Defenders: A roundtable hosted by Rich Eisen from the Pro Football Hall of Fame with a few of the Hall's greatest defenders. Cast includes: Ronnie Lott and Merlin Olsen.
5:30 p.m. ET -– NFL's Top 10: Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame
Thursday, July 31
2:30 p.m. ET -- NFL Films Presents: Irvin: My Road to Canton: Michael Irvin virtually created the modern day persona of the NFL receiver and left a lasting legacy on the game. Irvin: My Road to Canton looks at the celebrated and controversial career of the man who will always be known as the "Playmaker."
Friday, August 1
1:30 p.m. ET -- Legends of the Hall #1: Teams: A 30-minute roundtable show from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Rich Eisen hosts a discussion with various Hall of Fame players discussing the game and their contributions. Cast includes: Nick Buoniconti, Ronnie Lott and Lynn Swann.
2 p.m. ET -– Legends of the Hall #2: Coaches: A 30-minute roundtable show from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. Rich Eisen hosts a discussion with various Hall of Fame coaches discussing the game and their contributions. Cast includes: Don Shula, Mike Ditka and Marv Levy.
2:30 p.m. ET -– NFL Total Access 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee Press Conferences (LIVE)
5:30 p.m. ET -– NFL Films Presents: Reunion in Canton: During its history, more than 16,000 men have played in the National Football League, but only 211 have been selected for enshrinement into Pro Football's Hall of Fame. 111 surviving members returned to Canton, Ohio, for one memorable weekend in 2000 that saw the game's greatest players joined as one team at Pro Football's Greatest Reunion. More than 60 Hall of Famers - men who built the game of NFL pro football and defined it for generations share their love for football and the Hall of Fame.
7 p.m. ET –- NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame (HD): Fran Charles hosts, alongside Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci and Adam Schefter live from Canton, Ohio.
Saturday, August 2
10 a.m. ET –- NFL Films Presents: Reunion in Canton
11 a.m. ET -– NFL's Top 10: Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame
4 p.m. ET -– NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame Pre-Ceremony (LIVE; HD)
6 p.m. ET -- 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (LIVE; HD)
10 p.m. ET -– NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame Post-Induction Show (HD)
Fran Charles hosts, alongside Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci and Adam Schefter live from Canton, Ohio.
Sunday, August 3
9 a.m. ET and 2:30 p.m. ET -– 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (HD)
6 p.m. ET -- NFL's Top 10: Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame
11 p.m. ET -– NFL Total Access Hall of Fame Game Postgame Show
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.
