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The following is the introduction of Coach Louis Briggins as delivered at the Third Annual American Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony held at the Palace Station in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 28, 2012.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Dante Briggins. I am a model and actor for Wilhelmina Models.

I stand before you tonight honored to introduce my brother Louis Briggins for Induction in the American Football Hall of Fame. Football has always been a part of this family and both of our lives.

In 1980, our family had two monumental events to celebrate.

□ The first was the graduation of our honoree from Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, New York, where Louis Lettered in Varsity football, Varsity soccer, and also Varsity Track and field.

□ The other event that was celebrated that same year was the birth of his younger brother who is standing before you today. When I was brought home one of the first gifts I received as a child was a plush football that was placed in my bassinet by my big brother.

As you can see my coaching in this sport began at birth. Little did we know that this passion for coaching the game of football would land us here this evening.

Louis went on to serve our country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1980-1987

During his service he was awarded multiple medals that included:

• Expert Marksman Medal;

• The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award;

• The Air Force Maintenance Professional of the Year Award;

• The Air Force Meritorious Achievement Medal; and,

• He was also nominated for the Airman’s Medal for assisting a woman who was being carjacked with her children in the vehicle.

Even before any of these awards were bestowed on him, I could always say that our guest of honor was always one of my heroes.

Whenever he was home or visiting, he spent time with me and my teammates at his old Alma Mater making us into better football players. During that time I was the Quarterback for Newburgh Free Academy and, under the tutelage of one Coach Briggins, I led the Gold Backs to Section title and lost a 1 point game in State title semi-finals.

He was up early with me before practice, and on the field with me long after practice was over. I can remember running 5 on 5 drills with my teammates under the headlights of our cars late into the night.

Coach Briggins lives by a saying “People don’t plan to fail, instead they fail to plan”.

In 1996 my brother officially began his coaching career as the defensive coordinator for Osceola High School’s freshman team. This team went undefeated and his defense only surrendered 26 total points on the season

1997-1998 he took over the defense for the Junior Varsity team at the same high school and to date is credited with the only undefeated season in school history.

1998- 1999 Louis took his talents to the Saint Cloud Youth Football League for the junior pee wee team. The team lost one game and avenged that loss in a triple overtime championship victory that brought the Mid Florida Championship trophy back to Saint Cloud.

No matter what level he is coaching on, his presence and guidance always make an immediate impact.

2003-2007 Coach Briggins was the Defensive Coordinator of the Orlando Rage. He is credited as being the architect of the Rage’s “Goon Squad” defense. The Rage was in the hunt for the championship every year. The defense set several records and helped win 3 conference championships.

In 2008, Louis was named Head Coach and General Manager of the Florida Thunder football team. He built his team from the ground up and in impressive style cruised to an undefeated season his first year. The Thunder also won the Championship, Louis was named Coach of the Year, and Defensive Coordinator of the Year.

The Florida Thunder defense only surrendered 32 points on the season during league play. They also defeated Coach Briggins’ former team the Orlando Rage 28-6.

In 2009, our honoree signed on as Head Coach and GM of the Florida Crusaders organization. The goal of this outfit was to bring the best Semi-Pro football to audiences through a television show entitled “Second Chance Football”. The Crusaders played their first season in the Southeast Football League, where they finished the season with seven wins and five loses. They we eliminated from the playoffs in the second round by an opponent that went on to win the championship and complete an undefeated season.

In 8 years of coaching at the semi-pro level, Coach Briggins managed to hold 10 Teams to minus 100 yards for a game. He also set defensive records for turnovers in a season recording 65 in a 12 game season. He followed this performance with back to back 68 turnover seasons. All in all you had your work cut out for you playing against a Coach Briggins defense.

In summary: I have never met an individual that has as much love for this game, played with such passion, and coached with both his heart and head. I stand before you today honored, humbled, and elated to introduce my brother Louis Briggins for induction into The American Football Hall Of Fame Class of 2012.”

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