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Pro Football Hall of Fame: The Tour

by David Kindervater on August 4th, 2007

Photo by David Kindervater

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

After setting up my equipment in the Media Work Room, I decided my annual tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame was in-order. By this time, the place was packed with fans.

• My first order of business was to check out the Pittsburgh Steelers 75th Anniversary exhibit right next door to the Media Work Room. The exhibit actually took up an entire room with more than 100 specially selected artifacts from the HOF’s collection as well as from the Steelers, the Rooney family, and the Senator John Heinz History Center. Legendary Steeler’s RB Franco Harris donated a piece of turf from the now-deceased Three Rivers Stadium where he made the famed “Immaculate Reception.” There were uniforms, footballs, cleats and much more. The exhibit will only be on display until the end of the month.
• In what has become an annual event, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to the NFL’s Most Valuable Player — in this case (literally), 2006 MVP LaDainian Tomlinson who donated his uniform from last season as well as the football he carried in scoring his record-breaking 29th touchdown.
• Another new area worth checking out is the Arena Football League display. Remember, this is the Pro Football Hall of Fame which encompasses more than just the National Football League (although the NFL takes up 99% of the building). This small exhibit features both AFL historical and interactive elements. There’s a large video screen that plays a continuous loop of AFL highlights. I didn’t realize this, but the AFL is the nation’s fastest-growing sports league.
• My favorite part of the Hall of Fame tour is Coach Bud Grant’s sideline jacket. Growing up a Minnesota Vikings fan, I can’t tell you how many times I saw Coach Grant in that purple jacket. And to be this close to it is really cool. I find that anything that reminds me of my early days enjoying this game has the most special meaning to me. Football was something my whole family enjoyed (and still does) and I spent so much of my youth following the NFL and its players. To see how they are remembered here is really special. I remember visiting the Hall of Fame when I was very young, although the details are blurry.
• I’m amazed by the equipment advancements over the years. For instance (and this is featured on the back of the new Pro Football Hall of Fame Insider magazine), Y.A. Tittle’s shoulder pads. He played 17 seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and N.Y. Giants and wore the same shoulder pads for all 203 of his career games. Can you believe that? The tattered remains are on display here.

I should also mention that while I was wandering around the Hall, I ran into NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Pittsburgh Steelers Owner/Chairman Dan Rooney. The two were just hanging out, but they were engrossed in conversation, so I didn’t think it was appropriate to interrupt them. I’d say maybe next time, but what are the chances? Nevertheless, I guess I did the right thing. Good photo op, though, huh?

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POSTED IN: Pro Football HOF