July 30, 2012
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The NFL’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, marks the start of the pro football season. For Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm, it will carry added significance when Arizona faces New Orleans on Aug. 5.
Grimm was inducted into the Hall in 2010 but he hasn’t walked those hallowed passage ways since.
“I want to see the bust,” Grimm said Monday. “I have the replica that they give you. That’s at the house, but I haven’t seen the bronze thing yet.”
Grimm didn’t play football for such an honor.
“That’s just like a great reward that you get,” he said.
But he admits that it was a bit of relief when he was finally inducted.
"It was getting to the point where every year people were calling -- family and friends -- saying, 'Hey, this is the year.' I was probably more excited that I finally got in just so I could quit hearing from everybody saying, 'Oh, you got screwed. You’ll get in next year.'"
Grimm has no special plans for the viewing. No elegant meal. No teary-eyed reflections on his storied career. He won’t even be sporting the Hall’s famous gold jacket. That’s hanging at home in his closet, where it will stay.
“There’s priorities,” he said. “I got three young kids (linemen) we drafted and a couple more young kids. I got a free agent (Adam Snyder) at right guard. I’d rather spend an extra day in meeting time as opposed to walking out and sitting down with a gold jacket.”
-- Craig Morgan
