WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioPaul Warfield honored at Warren G. Harding

Paul Warfield honored at Warren G. Harding

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WARREN, Ohio - He was inducted into to Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton in 1983 and he is listed as one of the NFL's 100 greatest players of all time.

On Tuesday, Paul Warfield was honored at his home town high school, Warren G. Harding.

Members of the Warren Harding football team welcomed the alumni hall of famer back to where it all started. Warfield played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins, where he played in three Super Bowls and won two championships.

Tuesday he was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate as part of the Hometown Hall of Famers, a program that recognizes pro football's greatest players in their hometown communities. On hand was George Veras from the Hall Of Fame.

"They wouldn't be in Canton and we wouldn't have them if it hadn't been for the support of their hometown and I think it's important we recognize that at the Hall of Fame and give something back to the community or give something really that the players can give the community," Veras said.

Warfield told the students that the foundation for his career, his character, and who he is today started with his teachers and coaches at Warren Harding.

"I found it on both sides, as far as I was concerned, here at Warren G. Harding High School. Because I found that kind of support from academic teachers and coaches who encouraged me," Warfield said.

The seven time Pro Bowler said it was his first coach, Gene Slaughter, who inspired him. "I was not going to play football, primarily because I didn't think I was good enough," Warfield said.

Warfield, who graduated from Ohio State University and received his Masters degree from Kent State, says young people sometimes don't realize what they are capable of, and he gave the students these three words to live by. "Never doubt yourself."

A special Hometown Hall of Famer plaque will now have a permanent place at the high school.