'Dream come true': New class enjoys 'team' photo with returning Pro Football Hall of Famers

CANTON — It's like one, big happy family in Canton.

The day before the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement, the Class of 2022 was united with the returning Hall of Famers for a photo op on Friday morning at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.

This year's class was in the center of the group, standing out wearing their red shirts while the returning members were in their white. Whether it's a former teammate or simply a player they idolized growing up, the new enshrinees are soaking in every moment this week.

"Just being around those guys is a dream come true," said Class of 2022 member Tony Boselli, who will be the first Jacksonville Jaguar enshrined into the Hall. "There are so many great events, and I think the coolest thing is they talk about it being a team or a fraternity and you feel that, and the guys are great. From the older guys to the young guys, once you're a Hall of Famer, it's a whole different feeling."

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Boselli enjoyed talking with guys such as Cris Carter, engaging about Boselli's upcoming six-minute enshrinement speech on Saturday. Boselli, who has been in Canton since Monday, is still in awe to be interacting with some of his favorite players growing up.

"I think the most exciting fun part is these are the guys I idolized growing up," Boselli said. "These are the guys I want to be and do what they did. And now to be a part of their team, fraternity, or whatever you call it, I'm a kid in a candy store."

LeRoy Butler is also filled with excitement as he awaits being enshrined. Excited enough that he needed his relatives to calm him down before his big day. Butler, who played all 12 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, is grateful to represent Packer nation. When speaking to the public, he was standing between former Packers greats, Dave Robinson and James Lofton, mentioning the generations of great players who played in Green Bay.

"Maybe I'm biased, but when you're with the franchise that is owned by the people, fans, it means a lot," Butler said. "Whenever you have more Hall of Famers in, it really does mean that you represent the whole community. Not only that, you only represent a fanbase that is in tune with the players. So we're here representing the Green Bay Packers, who are our family."

Bryant Young, another member of this year's class, didn't have to look too far among the returning Hall of Famers to find his former teammate Jerry Rice and former 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., who will be Young's presenter. Young is a member of the 49ers team that won Super Bowl XXIX following the 1994 season. Young described his experience as if he is soaking in every minute of this experience.

"Every day, it becomes a moment where it becomes cemented. There's a moment where it all sunk in and yesterday was one of them," Young said. "This picture will be cherished for the rest of my life. As the day goes on, there are opportunities and moments where it's just like it's happening, it's real and it's being cemented. "

Next on the agenda, Boselli, Young, Butler and the rest of the Class of 2022 get together for the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner, which is 5 p.m., Friday, at Canton Memorial Civic Center. The Enshrinement is set for noon, Saturday, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Class of 2022 enjoys photo with returning Pro Football Hall of Famers