Mario Lemieux Gets Star on Pittsburgh’s Walk of Fame

It can be argued that no athlete has done more for a city and a franchise than Mario Lemieux, who has been synonymous with the Pittsburgh Penguins since being drafted first overall in 1984.

And on Tuesday (October 13), Lemieux was honored with a well-deserved star on Pittsburgh’s Walk of Fame, attending the ceremony in person. Lemieux joined a class that also included Myron Cope, Martha Graham, Charles “Teenie” Harris, Franco Harris, H.J. Heinz, Shirley Jones, Henry Mancini, Jimmy Stewart, and George Westinghouse (details here).

Located at the Strip District’s Terminal Building, the Walk of Fame’s mission is to create an ever-expanding landmark honoring people with ties to the Pittsburgh region who have influenced America’s cultural heritage and to educate the public about the honorees and their accomplishments.

Pittsburgh broadcasting personality Rick Sebak introduced Lemieux by outlining his long list of achievements. The assembled crowd clapped at the mention of his six scoring titles and three MVP awards; his remarkable return to the ice in 2000; being the only person to have their name on the Stanley Cup as both a player and an owner, with a total of five championships; and the Mario Lemieux Foundation committing over $40 million to cancer research and patient initiatives throughout the region.

“All of this just adds up to a zillion reasons for people here to respect him,” Sebak said.

At that point, Lemieux went up to unveil his star alongside Nancy Polinsky Johnson, Founder & Executive Director, who was inspired to launch this initiative after visiting other Walks of Fame around the country. Lemieux then gave a speech – here are his remarks in full.

“Thank you very much. First of all, thank you to Nancy and the Walk of Fame Boards of Director for this wonderful day. This really means a lot to myself and my family. It's a special day for all of us. So, thank you for including me here today, with all of the other inductees. When I look at all the stars, incredible people that have accomplished so much and done amazing things in their lives, and I'm so honored to be included.

“I came to Pittsburgh 42 years ago, already, as a young French Canadian who didn't speak any English. I remember Paul Steigerwald picking me up at the airport and driving through Pitt Tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, there it was-the city of Pittsburgh. An amazing sight for a young French Canadian. And that's when I fell in love with the city and the people. And I'm here 42 years later, and this is called home for us. So, it's very special.

“Also, very proud to have been able to play my entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For 42 years, be involved. I have amazing memories from my playing days, winning two Cups as a player in the early '90s, and becoming the owner in 1999, and have the chance to win three more Cups. Amazing memories, and memories that I can cherish for the rest of my life.

“I see a lot of my friends that are here, I just want to thank you all for being here and taking the time to be with us to celebrate this great day. Means a lot to Nathalie and I and the family. So, thank you all for coming.

“Also, would like to thank the Mario Lemieux Foundation members that are here, thank you so much. People came from LA and Florida, and you guys can go back in a couple hours if you want [laughs]. But thank you very much. Means a lot to us that you're here, and you're a big part of the foundation and what we do here. So, thank you so much.

“Also, thank you to all the fans. You guys have been with me from Day 1 when I came here in 1984. You've supporting my career as a player and also as an owner. So, I thank you very much. You're the best fans in hockey. So, thank you to all the fans.

“And finally, I just would like to thank my lovely wife, Nathalie. We've been together for 43 years, and she's made a lot of sacrifices for me throughout my playing career, and thank you for all the support. And of course, my kids are here. My three daughters, thank you for being here, and thank you for giving us seven beautiful grandchildren so far. So, keep it up. Thank you.”

“Thank you very much. First of all, thank you to Nancy and the Walk of Fame Boards of Director for this wonderful day. This really means a lot to myself and my family. It's a special day for all of us. So, thank you for including me here today, with all of the other inductees. When I look at all the stars, incredible people that have accomplished so much and done amazing things in their lives, and I'm so honored to be included.

“I came to Pittsburgh 42 years ago, already, as a young French Canadian who didn't speak any English. I remember Paul Steigerwald picking me up at the airport and driving through Pitt Tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, there it was-the city of Pittsburgh. An amazing sight for a young French Canadian. And that's when I fell in love with the city and the people. And I'm here 42 years later, and this is called home for us. So, it's very special.

“Also, very proud to have been able to play my entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For 42 years, be involved. I have amazing memories from my playing days, winning two Cups as a player in the early '90s, and becoming the owner in 1999, and have the chance to win three more Cups. Amazing memories, and memories that I can cherish for the rest of my life.

“I see a lot of my friends that are here, I just want to thank you all for being here and taking the time to be with us to celebrate this great day. Means a lot to Nathalie and I and the family. So, thank you all for coming.

“Also, would like to thank the Mario Lemieux Foundation members that are here, thank you so much. People came from LA and Florida, and you guys can go back in a couple hours if you want [laughs]. But thank you very much. Means a lot to us that you're here, and you're a big part of the foundation and what we do here. So, thank you so much.

“Also, thank you to all the fans. You guys have been with me from Day 1 when I came here in 1984. You've supporting my career as a player and also as an owner. So, I thank you very much. You're the best fans in hockey. So, thank you to all the fans.

“And finally, I just would like to thank my lovely wife, Nathalie. We've been together for 43 years, and she's made a lot of sacrifices for me throughout my playing career, and thank you for all the support. And of course, my kids are here. My three daughters, thank you for being here, and thank you for giving us seven beautiful grandchildren so far. So, keep it up. Thank you.”