SAN FRANCISCO -- As of one recent count, Edward DeBartolo Jr. had rewritten his Hall of Fame speech some 14 times.After such a long wait to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, alongside the most accomplished NFL contributors, its no surprise he wants his every word to be just right.Im a basket case, a nervous wreck. Wasnt this bad before Super Bowls! he wrote in an email from his sprawling Montana ranch, which offers 3,000 acres and a peaceful place to perfect his words for Saturdays ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his home state of Ohio.He walks his dogs in the wee hours of the morning and was joined by his two executive assistants in the lead-up to a long-awaited trip to Canton, where his daughter, Lisa, will present him. She was an easy choice. Deciding between all of his former players would have been painstakingly difficult, but if late Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh were still alive he would have been the one to do it, of course.God rest his soul, if Bill would have been alive, I probably would have asked Bill to do it, DeBartolo said. As a coach, he came in and brought great credentials. More than that, he just brought a whole new way of doing things.So did DeBartolo, an owner known for caring as much about those in every capacity around him as he did winning football games and hoisting Lombardi trophies. Hiring Walsh in 1979 was among DeBartolos biggest successes in launching a storied franchise that won five Super Bowl titles during his tenure.San Francisco became the first franchise to win five championships.Other coaches study coaches, players study players, said former coach Steve Mariucci, hired by DeBartolo. I think owners study the way he did things, not only football but other sports. He kind of paved the way for a lot of owners, this is how you build an organization from top to bottom.Mr. D. is how he is best known, a show of respect from those who played or worked for him during his two-decade run leading the 49ers.Lisa DeBartolo shared how her father is always there for others, friends and acquaintances alike. He would call every veterinarian around if he knew someone had an ill pet.He just goes over and above what a normal person would do, she said. He would give the shirt off his back when somebody needed it.His former players so appreciate what DeBartolo did for them when they were playing or once they retired -- and still would do if ever they needed a boost, help or a hug.He wins, treats everyone with respect and admiration, and whatever he touches, he betters it, said Deion Sanders, who won a Super Bowl during his lone season with San Francisco in 1994.More than all of the accomplishments, thrilling, history-making wins and hardware he collected along the way, DeBartolos ownership legacy includes that compassion and care for people throughout the organization -- at every level -- and the league.Hall of Famer Steve Young credits DeBartolo for working to build strong relationships between players and owners from the start.He and his players were family -- to this day. If you need something from Eddie, anybody who ever played for the team could call him personally and he would figure out a way to help you, Young said. That fundamental change in how owners looked at players and how they related to each other, I think changed the dynamic for how the CBA was negotiated 15 years later, and players are now truly partners with the owners.The 69-year-old DeBartolo, who owned shopping malls, doesnt pretend to have had a perfect path to finally reaching Canton. He was embroiled in the corruption case against former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and suspended by the NFL for the 1999 season after being found guilty of failing to report a bribe, a felony. After the suspension, DeBartolo gave control of the team to his sister.I just am so happy for him. Now, everything that he has done for his football career is really now validated because of this, daughter Lisa said. He has had so many hardships with friends, with family. It just was time. I think now its kind of like a weight off of his shoulders. Were just very proud of him.DeBartolo acknowledges the growing pains from his early days beginning in 1977 to the pride he takes in having developed the family atmosphere around the 49ers -- It was more of a philosophy, he said -- that helped him and so many others thrive in the Bay Area.He still cant believe the elite company he will soon join in Canton.Just to think that Im going to have a bust and a jacket where you have George Halas or Mr. Rooney or the people who made this game what it is, is kind of unnerving to me, DeBartolo said. Its so humbling. I think humbling is putting it mildly. ... Just being mentioned in the same capacity is overwhelming.---AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this story.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL John Kelly Jersey . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Jamil Demby Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. http://www.cheapramsjerseyschina.com/travin-howard-jersey/ .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Micah Kiser Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Joseph Noteboom Jersey .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem.Gary Anderson hopes to inflict another Premier League defeat on Michael van Gerwen after recovering from a debilitating virus. The Scotsman could not start the defence of his title on night one after being stuck down with a draining bout of flu, but he will return to face world No 1 Van Gerwen this Thursday, live on Sky Sports.Anderson has revealed that he was bed-ridden for much of last week and could not even watch as Van Gerwen began his campaign with a 7-4 defeat against James Wade in Leeds. Im feeling better. Im still not 100 per cent, but Im definitely a lot better than what I was, Anderson told Sky Sports.My son has had chicken pox and Ive not had chicken pox so I thought I might be getting shingles, but it was just a right bad flu going about and it absolutely crippled me. Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen shared the PDC Player of the year award I couldnt even stand. From my toes to the top of my head, I was just in so much pain. Even putting a t-shirt on was hurting my back. My skin was that sore, it was terrible. I have never been so ill like that in my life.I had to be ill to miss a game of darts. I never watched it. I was in my bed trying to sleep. I just saw a few of the results the next day, but I never watched any of it.The back-to-back world champion will sharpen his skills on the practice board before heading to Newcastle and is relishing another showdown with Van Gerwen, who he defeated in last years final. I love playing Michael, hes top of the tree and its my place in the world to knock him off.dddddddddddd Gary Anderson Im looking forward to it, he said. Remember, hes not won a game yet. It could be two for two. Ill get up the road tonight and Ill get a few hours in and a few tomorrow to get ready for it.I love playing Michael, hes top of the tree and its my place in the world to knock him off. He knows thats what happens - you get to the top and everyone wants to beat you. To me Michael is a darts player, simple as that, if I couldnt beat him I wouldnt be playing darts. The Scot secured his second title after defeating Van Gerwen in the final last May Im there to beat him and hes there to win it. It should be a good one I hope.He fires me up, he gets me going. I think everyone I play are rivals now. Im good friends with Adrian Lewis, but on stage we want to beat each other up. Every player that you play is your rival. Youre mates off the stage, youre not mates on the stage. Debutant Michael Smith has received valuable words of advice from Anderson Anderson has acted as a mentor for Premier League debutant Michael Smith and was bitterly disappointed that he could not offer words of advice as the 25-year-old started his season with two humbling defeats.I was a bit naffed that I could not be there for Michael Smiths first game, said Anderson. That was the thing that kind of got to me.It was his first game in the Premier League and I know what the boys are like, they will have started with the banter so I could have been there to stick up for him.Its a big change for him, a young lad being in that, but I think he will know what to expect this week.Watch night two of the Premier League this Thursday night, starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV Also See: Mardles PL predictions MVG and Andos road to glory Sky Live: Premier League week two Fixtures/results ' ' '