*Unmatched coverage includes debuts of *Jerry Rice: Catching History Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. ET and The Triplets: Emmitt Smith's Road to Canton at 9 p.m. ET
"Hall of Fame" analysts Rod Woodson and Michael Irvin anchor broadcast team from Canton
Seven hours of live coverage on enshrinement Saturday, Aug. 7**
NFL Network returns to Canton, OH for one of the greatest traditions in sports when Pro Football's greatest players welcome in a new class with the 47th Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. NFL Network delivers seven hours of live, high-definition coverage on Enshrinement Saturday, August 7 beginning at 4:00 PM ET. 2007 enshrinee Michael Irvin and 2009 enshrinee Rod Woodson highlight NFL Network's broadcast team that also includes Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Jason La Canfora and Kara Henderson.
NFL Network's Hall of Fame-related programming also features the debut of two shows that pay tribute to 2010 Hall of Fame enshrinees Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith Wednesday, August 4. In Jerry Rice: Catching History, debuting at 8 p.m. ET, Steve Mariucci returns to Candlestick Park with the league's all-time career leader in pass receptions to relive the illustrious career that has earned him a place in Canton. The one-hour show covers all of his heroic highlights, and uncovers the secrets that made him one of the greatest players in NFL history. Jerry Rice: Catching History also includes never before told stories about Rice's early days, and a return to his favorite workout spot -- simply known as, "The Hill."
Immediately following at 9 p.m. ET, The Triplets: Emmitt Smith's Road to Canton reunites Cowboys Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith to reminisce on the legacy the trio built in Dallas in the '90s and celebrate the next "triplets" reunion in the halls of Canton. The trio looks back on Smith's signature game versus the Giants, where he tallied 168 rushing yards, 10 receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown despite suffering a shoulder injury, their Super Bowl championships and Irvin and Aikman offer Smith words of wisdom for Enshrinement on Saturday.
Both Jerry Rice: Catching History and Triplets: Emmitt Smith's Road to Canton are voiced by actor Clarke Peters, best known for his role as Detective Lester Freamon in HBO's critically-acclaimed drama, The Wire.
To view a sneak peek of footage from both shows, please click here.
As members of the Hall of Fame, no one understands the emotions and sentiments being felt by the 2010 enshrinees better than Irvin and Woodson. As a member of the class of 2007, Irvin enters his third year as a member of NFL Network's Hall of Fame broadcast team, while Woodson brings his Hall of Fame credentials one year after his enshrinement as a member of the Hall's 2009 class.
NFL Network's full coverage from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Presented by EA Madden '11, begins Friday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. ET with NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame, where both Rice and Smith are scheduled to appear.
Saturday coverage begins at Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. ET with NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame Pre-Ceremony, leading into the 2010 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.
Special features within the pre-ceremony include:
» Scheduled on-set appearances by Hall of Famers John Madden and Troy Aikman.
» Rod Woodson's Tribute to Dick LeBeau: In his induction speech last fall, Woodson made it clear that Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's enshrinement was long overdue. Now with LeBeau receiving the nod, Woodson pays tribute to the man who has left a lasting impression on the NFL both on the field as a player and as a coach on the sidelines.
» The Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of All-Time, According to 'The Playmaker': It's a list that you've heard debated and discussed in the past, but never from one of Dallas' greatest. 'The Playmaker' Michael Irvin ranks the Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of all-time.
» The Top 10 San Francisco 49ers of All-Time, According to Mariucci: As a former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Mariucci shares his Top 10 49ers of all-time.
» Highlights from Jerry Rice: Catching History and The Triplets: Emmitt Smith's Road to Canton.
The Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will also feature new enhancements for 2010 for an even more viewer-friendly and visually stimulating experience for fans both in the crowd and those viewing at home. Improvements include a massive 32-foot-wide LED video screen as an on-stage backdrop where video clips and selected images will be projected on a wall suspended above the stage floor and for the first time, presenters' speeches serve as the voiceover to a four-minute highlight package honoring the corresponding enshrinee.
A one-hour NFL Total Access at the Hall of Fame Post-Enshrinement Show reviews highlights of the ceremony, along with scheduled live appearances by newly inducted Hall of Famers Smith and Rice, with their respective presenters Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo.
