CANTON, OHIO – Eddie DeBartolo Jr. sat perched on the backseat of a burgundy Cadillac El Dorado convertible with the license plates "MADE4ME."
Sitting next to his daughter and presenter, Lisa, Eddie waved to the thousands of fans who lined the streets of downtown Canton for the Hall of Fame parade. Saturday morning's event was another staple in the annual enshrinement week festivities.
"I can't even explain it. It's surreal," DeBartolo said at the parade before admitting that he's exhausted from the week's busy schedule. "I'm starting to get my voice back. I'm pooped."
DeBartolo had another early morning on Friday for a "class picture" taken in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The photo had the 2016 enshrinees sitting in chairs with more than 100 members of the exclusive club standing behind them. The six living members of the 2016 class wore blue hall of fame polos with the previously inducted players all wearing their gold jackets.
Sitting to DeBartolo's left was longtime Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy. To Dungy's left was Brett Favre. The Green Bay Packers legendary quarterback drew several laughs as the only person in the photo wearing shorts.
When the hall of famers were gathering prior to taking the picture, DeBartolo was seen having lengthy conversations with wide receiver Cris Carter and fellow 2016 enshrinee, standout St. Louis Rams left tackle Orlando Pace. Steve Young, Jerry Rice and Joe Namath were three more of the notable names in the photo.
Take a look at some of the best photos of one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: former 49ers Owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
Friday evening, the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers hosted 800 of his closest family and friends at a party to celebrate his induction. The guest list included the who's who of NFL icons, an indication of DeBartolo's lasting impact on the NFL. Those on hand to congratulate "Mr. D." included Jerry Jones, Dan Marino, Marcus Allen, Jerome Bettis, Jim Brown, Franco Harris and Tim Brown.
The reunion of 49ers legends who turned out was extraordinary. The list included (but is certainly not limited to) Young, Rice, Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley, Keena Turner, Randy Cross and Dwight Hicks.
DeBartolo's induction week concludes Saturday night with the enshrinement ceremony itself. The renowned executive is expected to speak sixth, when his bronze bust will be revealed. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. local time, 4:00 p.m. PT and can be watched live on ESPN and NFL Network.
