Frankie Hejduk is synonymous with the Columbus Crew. There's no debating the impact that he has had both on and off the field for this club. While his off-field exploits as the club's Brand Ambassador are at the top of anyone's minds when they think of the name "Frankie Hejduk," the defender had a highly successful on-field tenure in Black & Gold that is more than deserving of the Circle of Honor.
Think back to the club's criteria for induction into the Circle: in order to be inducted, a player must, among other things, have played at least four years and 50 matches for the Crew, as well as won a trophy. Hejduk, of course, has satisfied these criteria -- and then some.
From a longevity standpoint, Hejduk is one of the longest-tenured players in club history. His 147 regular season matches played is tied for eighth all-time in the Crew record books, and his 143 starts and 12,817 minutes both rank sixth. With 203 MLS matches played in total, the defender is one of just 94 players to crack that milestone across the League's history.
What sets Frankie apart in the club's lore is the trophies he helped bring to Columbus. An MLS Cup champion in 2008 and a Supporters' Shield winner in 2004, 2008 and 2009 with the Crew, Hejduk had a direct hand in four of the five major trophies won by the Black & Gold. Additionally, his goal in the MLS Cup victory over New York is one of the most iconic Crew goals in its history.
While individual awards are not emphasized too heavily in the Crew's Circle of Honor criteria, Hejduk fits the bill there as well. The defender was a a five-time MLS All-Star and the 2007 Crew Defender of the Year. That award is even more impressive when you consider that Hejduk was coming off of an ACL tear in the previous season that kept him out of the FIFA World Cup. He was named the OhioHealth Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 for that very reason. He was also named the CSF Crew Chiefs Hardest Working Man of the Year in 2003.
Saturday's ceremony is about celebrating Hejduk's influence and meaning to this club. Many see that influence on a daily basis off the pitch; Saturday is about remembering the success he had on it as well.
