Titletown was aglow with former Packers greats on hand to honor LeRoy Butler and Robert Brooks in their induction into the Packers Hall of Fame on Saturday. In the company of former teammates, such as Gilbert Brown and Santana Dotson, and current Packers standouts, both Brooks and Butler were excited to take their place in Packers history.
"When I was driving up, I actually started feeling nervous like I was preparing for a game," Brooks said. "Now we're here, going to the Packers Hall of Fame. It's awesome. I have old teammates and coaches that came up to support me. It's a great honor."
"Other than winning a Super Bowl, this is pretty special," Butler said, echoing Brooks' excitement. "This is great. I brought all my daughters up, my mom and a lot of family members. They all really like it."
As co-inductees, Brooks and Butler shared more than their time as teammates. Both are credited with the creation of the famed "Lambeau Leap."
"Going in with Robert is like going in with a brother," said Butler. "I don't think the Lambeau Leap would be as popular without Robert. I only got to do it once or twice where he got to do it 13 or 14 times a year."
Further emphasizing their commitment to the fans, the duo appeared to enjoy the evening's events as they mingled with the sellout crowd in attendance, more than 1,100 strong, shaking hands and accepting fans' congratulations.
"I think the fans know that I had a love for them. I really appreciate them," Brooks said. "Some guys don't realize how special this place is. It's very different than any other. The fans, their commitment, loyalty, their love for the team, is what makes them so unique."
With Antonio Freeman on hand to present Brooks and John Anderson of ESPN introducing Butler, the intangible greatness of both served as a topic of tribute. The evening will serve as a milestone in the stand-up careers of both gentlemen.
"The next step for me is just closing a chapter in my life," Brooks said. "I think I can move on and feel really good about what I've done."
"The Pro-Football Hall of Fame is my next target," Butler said.
Regardless of their future, Brooks and Butler hold a place in the hearts of Packers fans nationwide and serve as inspiration for current players like A.J. Hawk, Daryn Colledge, and Aaron Kampman, who were on hand to receive respective Rookie of Year and MVP awards.
