Pro Football Hall Of Fame: Canton, Ohio
Even for non-obsessive football fans, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio (1 hour from Cleveland) is worth a stop. Especially, if it’s a compromise on a couples vacation. Just remember ladies- your call on the next stop. And gentleman, yes, that could mean a stop at Tower City for some shopping back in Cleveland.
On my visit, I was gravitated toward anything related to my hometown team, the Denver Broncos, who won the first AFL championship in history. Catch memorabilia from Peyton Manning who helped the Broncos score more points than any team in NFL history. See the jersey and cleats he wore when he set the new TD record to 55—and lets see how that number changes this season. Plus a Floyd Little display, of course plenty of tributes to John Elway and Tim Tebow- with the rundown of his strike to Demarius Thomas, which landed the quickest overtime victory in a playoff game.
Outside of my hometown pride and orange and blue, I loved seeing the evolution of football gear from the early 1900’s to today. Catch one of the first footballs used a year after Pro Football made its indoor debut in 1902. That’s when a team billed as “New York” played the Syracuse Athletic Club in the Big Apple’s originals Madison Square Garden. The leather carries over to the turn of the century leather football pads and helmets.
I seriously questioned if this gear would hold up against players today, especially when looking at an exhibit that showcases the sheer strength and size of players with true to size molds. A leg cast of Leonard Davis (6 feet 6 inches and 355 pounds) attracted a crowd of people, some fitting their entire body inside the leg. And the popping biceps of players like Cortez Kennedy, (6 foot three inches and 300 pounds) of this former Denver Bronco are on display.
Life-size statues of players like Johnny Unites, Sammy Baught, Reggie White, Walter Payton and Jim Brown sit in front on an interactive display that allows you to watch their greatest plays or read a synopsis. From here, when it came to breaking down the stats and greatest plays for each player, my attention started to divert. Of course, for any big time football fan, this is where the tempo picks up to balance things out.
Address: 2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton, OH 44708
Admission: $24.00
