Sabol then added, "I said that twice because at my age your memory starts to go a little bit."
His son and successor as NFL Films president, Steve Sabol, presented the elder Sabol in a video segment. Steve spoke of his dad's sense of humor, his showmanship, and his leadership.
Steve talked about the February day his father's induction was announced.
"When dad was inducted into the Hall of Fame," Steve Sabol said, "he called me and he said, 'Send me a producer. I've got one more film left in me.'
"And so, here it is, the last film directed by Ed Sabol."
For the next six minutes, the crowd sat mesmerized by a compilation of the images, music, and narration that have made NFL Films the league's "keepers of the flame," as George Halas once said. Comments from Sabol were interspersed throughout the piece.
Later, Sabol spoke of not having a coach to lean on like players do.
"But I do have some fans, and those fans are you people sitting out there in the seats," he said, pointing to the crowd and drawing a large roar.
"But, of course, this honor tonight really goes to NFL Films. I just happen to be accepting all the accolades and all the other things that go along with it. It's been really exceptional. I just want to say I've been very, very happy and very proud to have been your boss for all these years. You're a great bunch of people, dedicated and loyal and hardworking. You're the reason I'm sitting up here."
The 19th man to be enshrined into the Hall as a contributor - not a player or coach - Sabol became a legend by making legends of others.
Appropriately, the highlights of the other Hall of Famers shown throughout the night were produced by NFL Films. The music played throughout the ceremony was produced by NFL Films.
Ed Sabol made heroes of players and helped build pro football into the most popular sport in America. On Saturday night, he finally got his bronze bust in Canton.
