Former football star DeAngelo Hall returns to the 757 for induction into Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, talks about his new career

DeAngelo Hall was back in Hampton Roads.

He was in town for his induction into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

He had only one request for Virginia Sports Hall of Fame executive director Will Driscoll.

“I was telling Will, I was supposed to be staying in the hotel, but my mom is not letting me and the kids not stay at her house,” Hall said, laughing prior to the event’s “Breakfast With Champions.” The day also included the induction and reception ceremony Saturday night.

Hall, 39, was The Virginian-Pilot’s 2000 Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year while at Deep Creek High. He was an All-American defensive back for Virginia Tech in the early 2000s. Chosen by Atlanta in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, he played 14 NFL seasons with the Falcons, Raiders and Washington, earning three Pro Bowl selections. He was recognized among Washington’s greatest 90 players.

In 2010, he tied an NFL record with four interceptions in a game against the Chicago Bears and still holds the NFL record for most fumble-return yardage in a career. His five career fumble-return touchdowns also rank second, behind Jason Taylor.

He said none of this would have been possible without his mother, Joan Hall.

“This is not my award. It’s really hers. It’s her hard work,” he said. “It’s her determination to make sure we were all focused on what we needed to be focused on to be successful. And it’s the lessons I’m trying to teach my kids as well. I’m just blessed to have her as a mother.”

Following his playing career, Hall began working as an on-air football analyst for several networks, including the NFL Network on shows such as NFL Total Access and Good Morning Football. It gave him an opportunity to attend all of the NFL’s big events, including the Super Bowl.

“I liked it. It was easy. It was fun,” he said. “And I got to travel a lot.”

But something was missing after his fourth season in the business.

“I wasn’t enjoying it as much as when I first started, and that’s when I knew I needed to chase my passion,” he said. “And that was always football and always coaching.”

After talking with his wife, Jada, and their six kids, he decided to embark on a coaching career.

“It wasn’t until my wife and kids said, ‘No, go do it,’” he said. “Once I got their blessing, it was easy.”

He was offered several coaching opportunities, including with the Miami Dolphins and the University of Maryland.

In February, he agreed to terms to become an assistant defensive backs coach for the Carolina Panthers. He’s already learned so much, and he loves working with Panthers head coach Frank Reich.

But this isn’t it for Hall.

“I got a dream of leadership,” he added. “So, I’m not going down this road to be a position coach for the next 15 years. I’m trying to be a head coach. You got to start somewhere.

Hall said it’s a huge honor to be going into a Virginia Sports Hall of Fame class like this one, which includes many local ties, including former Major League Baseball player Ryan Zimmerman, Olympian Francena McCorory and former William & Mary football coach Jimmye Laycock.

“Ever since I could remember, we took a lot of pride in being from Virginia, specifically the 757,” said Hall, who also is in the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame and Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame. “And other guys around the country, they know it. They understand it and they know the kind of athletes and players we have, and the mindset and mentality. So when I got the notification a couple of years back [about the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame], I was extremely honored to be a part of this elite club.”

Hall said he and Zimmerman go way back to their days when both were playing in Washington.

“I spent a lot of my time in D.C. with [Zimmerman],” he said. “And I can still remember taking my kids to games and telling everybody how we’re from the same area. It’s just an honor. Competition breeds excellence.”

The two also supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Hall represented it through the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats. And Zimmerman founded the ziMS Foundation, which is committed to bringing home a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Zimmerman, a former Kellam High baseball star, is among the top offensive players in Virginia. He finished his MLB career as the Washington Nationals’ franchise leader in hits (1,846), home runs (284), RBIs (1,061) and games played (1,799).

He also remembers those days in Washington with Hall. Now they’re both going into the Hall of Fame together.

“Some of my good buddies played with him at Virginia Tech and he obviously had a wonderful career, and he’s an awesome guy,” said Zimmerman, who guided the Nationals to the 2019 World Series championship and had his No. 11 jersey retired. “It’s pretty cool to go in with him.”

Driscoll said that while the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame represents the entire state, he said having a class like this, with so many 757 people in it, is special.

“This area has created a lot of great athletes, coaches and contributors,” he said. “And when you have an event like this here, DeAngelo gets to stay at home with his family and Ryan with his family. So, it’s probably added a little bit more meaning for them.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.

Class of 2023

* DeAngelo Hall (football, Deep Creek High, Virginia Tech, NFL)

* Jimmye Laycock (football, William & Mary)

* Francena McCorory (track, Bethel High, Hampton University, Olympics, pro)

* Shawn Moore (Football, UVA, NFL, CFL)

* Jerry Ratcliffe (sports journalist, Charlottesville)

* Bob Rotanz (lacrosse, Roanoke College)

* Sheila Trice-Myers (track, Christopher Newport)

* Ryan Zimmerman (baseball, Kellam High, UVA, MLB)

Distinguished Virginian Award: Joe Montgomery (football, W&M)