I Finally Made it to Canton

As I was driving down Interstate 77 towards Canton and I was filled with anxiety and anticipation. Did I have my speech prepared? Who was I going to thank first? Mom, God or my high school coach? Then, I was there at the front steps of The Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was just as magical and iconic as I had dreamed. I walked in the door and suddenly the dream was over when the attendant directed me over to the admission booth to pay my entrance fee.

I guess it wasn’t my year, but hey, only 300 or so have ever been chosen since the Hall of Fame opened in 1963. Besides, I could do without the speeches and crowds and all the hoopla anyway. What I did get to do was spend 3 to 4 hours experiencing 133 years of professional American football. And that was pretty cool!

The steps leading up to the iconic domed top building adorning the hammered copper sculpture of three football players, holds so much history of its own. Just standing there thinking about all the iconic football figures and inspirational inductee speeches that took place in that very spot was surreal. What’s inside is pretty cool as well!

The museum does a great job of covering the history of pro football from the pre-NFL years of 1892-1919, to the NFL/AFL merger and on to current times. Significant milestones and achievements are highlighted along the way that can enlighten the most knowledgeable football buffs. I was reminded that the first four Super Bowls took place before the NFL/AFL merger, so it was NFL vs. AFL rather than NFC vs. AFC as it has been since the merger in 1970.

You get a good idea of how the game has evolved over the years as you continue on the tour. The significant impact players (and plays) are highlighted in addition to the record breakers. And then there’s the room of bronze busts from all of the inductees. It’s hard not to walk by each and every one of them, as I did.

The final section highlights the Super Bowl champions and dynasties by decade. This was especially interesting for me, as was the display of all the Super Bowl rings. The New England Patriots get my vote for the gaudiest rings, by the way.

There are a couple of theater presentation available as well. One was showing the highlights of the 2024 season. I had a hard enough time living through this the first time, so I passed on that but did check out the “locker room” theater. This was really cool and so well done. The setting is an NFL locker room and (hologram) Joe Namath is your host. The visual effects are amazing, and the stories told, inspiring. George Halas and Vince Lombardi (holograms) join at the end to give us some pregame inspiration.

Unlike the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which I left with the desire to return one day, I left the Pro Football Hall of Fame feeling enriched and satisfied but content that I had experienced what I had come to see. That is, unless there’s a gold jacket for me in the future.