Baker crept into the TV frame and interrupted the scene, shook Simms’ hand and then made an announcement, one Cowher surely wasn’t expecting. Baker then remarked.

“On behalf of all of us who love this game, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it is my great …,” Baker started, only to get interrupted by Cowher himself.

“This isn’t right that this is happening right now, man,” Cowher said as he closed his eyes with joy and gripped his lips so tightly, but still not enough show how emotional he was becoming.

Baker continued.

“I want to thank you for all you’ve done for the game, for all you’re going to do for the game” Baker said. “And I want to welcome you to Canton, Ohio, where your legacy will be forever [remembered].”

The two embraced, and the CBS pro football analysts who work with Cowher every week came up to shake his hand and embrace him. Cowher’s wife and daughter were also on hand to celebrate the moment with the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach.

James Brown of CBS’ NFL Today said more than 29,000 players and coaches have been a part of the NFL, and that “Bill Cowher is now the 327th one in the Hall of Fame, the 182nd living one.”

Brown then asked Cowher for a quick speech, but Cowher was somewhat speechless in the moment. But he finally talked.

“I was telling V [his wife, Veronica] that I’ve come to grips, I’m ok if it doesn’t happen,” Cowher said. “I’ve been so blessed. But I’ve got to say this. Those eight candidates, every one of you deserve to be there. Football is a total team sport. I had some great players and some great coaches and the best organization in football.”

Cowher was a linebacker in four seasons during the early 1980s—two for the Cleveland Browns and two for the Philadelphia Eagles. He coached the Pittsburgh Steelers for 15 seasons from 1992-2007, winning eight division titles and making the playoffs 10 times, and he was only the second NFL coach to guide his team to the NFL playoffs in each of his first six seasons—Paul Brown was the other.

Cowher twice led the Steelers to the Super Bowl. They lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX following the 1995 season, and they defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL following the 2005 season.

His career record in regular season was 149-90-1 and his postseason record was 12-9.