Dermontti Dawson became one of the best athletes Lexington ever produced and he's two weeks from induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be August 4th in Canton, Ohio.
Friday night Dawson and his family were honored in Lexington.

Dawson came out of Bryan Station High School, played at UK under Jerry Claiborne and went on to the NFL. With the Pittsburgh Steelers he became one of the great centers in the history of the league.

Friday Dawson said he's honored. "If you think about all the guys who played in the league and only 273 guys have been enshrined. So you know, you don't take it for granted and there's a lot of stuff that comes with that, responsibility from us, being enshrined and it is a great honor."

Dawson credited his work effort and consistency for his success. He said Mike Webster was a big influence on him his rookie year in the NFL. Dawson said his high school coach Steve Parker had the greatest influence on him in Lexington. Parker called Dawson the greatest center in NFL history.