WATCH: Jets legend Kevin Mawae 'still pinching' himself about Pro Football Hall of Fame induction

The seven-time First-team All-Pro center is humbled to join the special fraternity

Kevin Mawae got the call in February but it took until this week for the reality to truly sink in. 

The legendary Jets center gets his gold jacket on Friday and will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday. 

During a sideline interview of Thursday's preseason opener between the Broncos and Falcons, Mawae explained to NBC reporter Michele Tafoya how incredible it feels to be a Hall of Fame member. 

Kevin Mawae is a leader among men.

Welcome home to Canton, @KevinMawae. pic.twitter.com/AA1M8zHmIU

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 2, 2019

"It's been absolutely surreal. I'm still pinching myself," Mawae said. "I think Monday was the first time it really dawned on me that I'm getting into the Hall of Fame."

Mawae is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, seven-time First-team All-Pro and was an anchor who carved space for Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin. 

However, Mawae was overwhelmed by meeting some of his Hall of Fame idols. 

"Sitting in the hotel lobby today I'm just awe-struck by all the guys that were walking by," Mawae said. "I'm like: 'That's Jack Youngblood! That's Floyd Little!' I can't believe it and I get to be one of them."

Mawae participated in the 1997 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game as a member of the Seahawks. Yet, the modest Mawae refused to watch the induction ceremony for motivational purposes.  

"I didn't earn it. I felt like I wasn't worthy to be in the hall at the time," Mawae said. "I actually stood at the top of the old stadium and watched the induction ceremony take place during the pregame warmup."

By the time his career was over in 2009 though, Mawae's body of work spoke for itself. 

Mawae blocked for thirteen 1,000-yard rushers and contributed to ninety-two 100-yard rushing games. The ironman amassed 177 straight appearances and made 238 starts. 

Most importantly, Mawae's peers speak effusively about his impact on the field. 

"I think I earned the respect of players around the league by how I played the game," Mawae said. "They might not have liked it but they respected the way I played."

Now the next generation of players can look to Mawae's bust and find inspiration.

"Somebody told me today that you're going to be one of those guys that some of those young guys will be talking about in the future," Mawae said. "So it's a thrill. It really is."