CANTON, Ohio — As one of the greatest football players to come from Ohio was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a group of friends filled with hometown pride were in attendance.

Only a quick two hour drive stood in the way of friends Meghan Michaels, Shannon Hall and Jon Elias from seeing their hometown hero, Charles Woodson, get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday night. 

The three Fremont natives grew up watching Woodson, not only when he was in the NFL playing for the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders, but when he played for their hometown high school, Fremont Ross High School, and for the Michigan Wolverines.

“We've been watching him since I was a fifth grader and so it's been a long time coming and we're really happy for him,” said Michaels. “He's the GOAT. So it's just the best experience just knowing that he's representing Fremont and he's a piece of NFL history.”

The group feels it's a well-deserved honor.

“I grew up watching Charles Woodson, I knew he was phenomenal from the day I saw him first play,” said Hall. “I’ve literally waited 27 years for this opportunity, and I just can't wait to see all of his hard work pay off and see him get inducted in this hall of fame. He really deserves that.” 

Elias came with his grandpa’s hat as his grandparents took him to every game Charles Woodson played in since Elias was a baby. 

“I watched all of Charles Woodson’s games, Poochie, by the way, I don't know if anyone else knows that, but if you're from Fremont, Poochie is his real name,” said Elias. “And I went to every single game.”

Elias wanted his grandpa to witness this history, too.

“Thank you to my grandma and grandpa, Al and Donna Shively, for taking me to games when I was a year old until I was in college,” said Elias. “Thank you for that.”

It was these friends’ first time coming to an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, and it’s a day they said the people of Fremont will remember forever.