In advance of the festivities of the inaugural Fan Fest weekend at Lambeau Field, both members of the 2005 class of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Edgar Bennett and Don Majkowski, were at the stadium Thursday for a press conference.
These two Green Bay legends will be the 132nd and 133rd members of the Hall of Fame when they are enshrined at the annual induction ceremony July 23.
"I'd just like to say what a tremendous honor this is to just be mentioned with some of the guys that are already a part of the Hall of Fame," said Bennett, who was also named the team's running backs coach in January.
"For me, when I was first drafted by Green Bay I never really thought about the Hall of Fame and things like that. I just wanted to come in and do a great job and help the organization win football games. But to have this opportunity to be in this type of fraternity - it's a tremendous honor. One that I know that I truly appreciate and my family will forever."
Majkowski was equally honored and appreciative of the selection.
"This is by far the greatest award or individual honor that I've ever been awarded in my athletic career or my life," Majkowski stated. "This exceeds being nominated to the Pro Bowl by a lot."
The former quarterback for the Green and Gold had his eight-year-old daughter, Danielle, along for the weekend in Green Bay.
"I was just explaining to Danielle that this is a place that she can visit for the rest of our lives and Daddy will always be here in this place," he said. "It's an incredible honor."
Each of the 2005 inductees expressed that they felt honored to be mentioned alongside the other great players already in the Hall.
"When you think about Jim Taylor and guys like that, it's a tremendous honor to just be mentioned with those guys," Bennett said.
Majkowski said that he was somewhat familiar with Packer lore when he was drafted by the team in 1987, and was greatly appreciative of the chance to become a part of that tradition.
"I did know a little bit about it before (I came here)," he said. "You knew the names, (knew) who they were - the Hornungs and the Bart Starrs. But to get to know those guys personally when I first came here was so special and something that I've really cherished and I knew how lucky I was to have this opportunity.
"Being able to remain friends with those guys and now being included in the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame with those guys is a tremendous honor."
Tickets for the induction banquet are available for $110 each. Tables of 10 are available and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Early reservations are recommended. To purchase tickets, call Gwen Borga at (920) 965-6984, or e-mail her at gborga@packerhalloffame.org.
