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Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Is Heaven for Football Fans

Football has become such an ingrained part of life in America. The Super Bowl has become an unofficial national holiday. Each year, the top-rated TV shows are always NFL football games. If the thought of tailgating before a game or planning your weekend activities each fall around your team’s schedule describes you, then you need to put the Pro Football Hall of Fame Canton Canton on your must-visit spots. 

They proclaim that the Pro Football Hall of Fame is “the most inspiring place on earth.” The museum complex is located about 90 minutes south of Cleveland, Ohio.

The city where the league was founded, about 90 minutes south of Cleveland, is the home of the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Pro Football Hall Complex

Canton, Ohio has built its identity on the sport, and the large museum devoted to the greatest players and coaches of the game. The Hall of Fame complex is vast, and still growing. In addition to the museum itself, there are several restaurants, a brewery, and more to keep you entertained.

There are a couple ways to absorb everything at Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame. We chose to do a self-guided tour. While we’re football fans, we didn’t need the more in-depth offerings that could be secured. They do offer a guided tour at 11AM for a few dollars more than the standard admission should you desire.   

Just inside the lobby, your tour begins. They feature the latest class of inductees as well as a rotating exhibit featuring other aspects of the game. While we were there, there was a huge exhibit on the history of the Cleveland Browns team.

NFL Origins

The NFL has a very proud history, dating back to the origins of the league in 1920. That origin story begins at an auto dealership in Canton, which explains why the museum is located in Northern Ohio. That also explains why there is a 1920 Hupmobile on display.  Professional football teams have existed since the 1890s, but it wasn’t until Ralph Hay convinced 14 teams to pay $100 membership fees that the NFL was born.

The initial meeting that formed the NFL was at a Hupmobile Auto Dealership in Canton, Ohio. They pay homage to that history with this historic car on display in the lobby of the museum.
The initial meeting that formed the NFL was at a Hupmobile Auto Dealership in Canton, Ohio. They pay homage to that history with this historic car on display in the lobby of the museum.

If you’re a sports fan, or even just a fan of history, there is plenty for you to take in throughout the museum. Founded in 1963, the NFL Hall of Fame proclaims to be “football heaven” for fans.  

The curators of the Hall do a great job of telling stories. Many of the stories were familiar, but others were not. Two of the biggest surprises with our tour were the stories of Fritz Pollard and Jim Thorpe.

Historic Minorities in the NFL

Many people have at least heard of Jim Thorpe because of his performance in the 1912 Olympics. But chances are you’ve never heard of Pollard. Fritz Pollard was the Jackie Robinson of the NFL.

The Jackie Robinson of the NFL, Fritz Pollard was the first African American player and later head coach for the Akron Pros. He was finally elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Jackie Robinson of the NFL, Fritz Pollard was the first African American player and later head coach for the Akron Pros. He was finally elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.

He played for the Akron, Ohio Pros in 1919, becoming the first African American to play in the NFL. As remarkable as his story is playing professional sports 28 before Jackie integrated Major League Baseball, that is only half the story. Pollard became the first head coach of an NFL team in 1921. That was 54 years before Frank Robinson broke that barrier for MLB in 1975.

There were several African American players in the early days of the league. That quickly changed though, as the league went through decades without integration. Pollard’s story is an inspiring one, which finally culminated in his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Jim Thorpe’s story might be better known to many sports fans, but maybe not his time in the NFL. He was known as one of the greatest athletes of his era, and that was demonstrated on the gridiron. As the star player and coach, Thorpe guided the Canton Bulldogs to the unofficial world championship title in 1916, 1917, and 1919.

Jim Thorpe was the greatest athlete of his era. Excelling in the 1912 Olympics, he was able to transition to athletic and financial success on the gridiron, playing for the Canton, Ohio Bulldogs.
Jim Thorpe was the greatest athlete of his era. Excelling in the 1912 Olympics, he was able to transition to athletic and financial success on the gridiron, playing for the Canton, Ohio Bulldogs.

Thorpe, a Native American from Oklahoma became the sport’s first big star and was paid accordingly. As early as 1915, he was earning a staggering sum of $250 per game to play. The Jim Thorpe statue is a focal point on the first-floor section, dedicated to the history and stars of the early game.

Another surprise was the discovery of another hall of fame within the walls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There is a permanent exhibit featuring the members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. This hall was founded in 2009 and features football greats from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Formed in 2009, the Black College Football Hall of Fame features the game's greats from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Formed in 2009, the Black College Football Hall of Fame features the game’s greats from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

While those are stories you maybe haven’t heard of, there is plenty of history on display of those stories you are more likely to be familiar with. The museum’s curators are excellent at adding context to those stories; from Johnny Unitas and the greatest game ever played to legendary Jim Brown and his impact on the game and society. Influencers of the game we know today, from Chicago Bears great Walter Payton, Vince Lombardi, and more are there for you to find your favorites and learn more. 

Johnny Unitas played for the Baltimore Colts and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of any era.
Johnny Unitas played for the Baltimore Colts and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of any era.

Learning about the rich history of the game was enjoyable. The Hall of Fame also offers some deep dives on the modern game. The importance of a top-notch quarterback is key to success in today’s football game. There were several displays of modern-era players, especially quarterbacks throughout the Hall of Fame, including favorites like Peyton Manning, John Elway, Brett Favre, and more. Along with a long list of influential Hall of Famers, current superstars like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are featured.

The Hall of Fame has several features on some recent quarterback greats and current ones too. Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes are a few of the QBs with displays featuring game-worn jerseys.
The Hall of Fame has several features on some recent quarterback greats and current ones too. Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes are a few of the QBs with displays featuring game-worn jerseys.

This football museum holds something for everyone. For diehards, they’ll be able to spend a full day wandering around the displays. Casual fans and people not really into the game will still find plenty of interesting exhibits to keep your attention. Throughout the day, they offer lectures on various topics conducted by the staff. They do a great job of alerting you when the next lecture is about to begin. We were able to sit in on an informational class focusing on the early history of the league and those pioneering teams.

Hall of Fame Members

By far, the most impressive area was the Hall of Fame busts room, full of bronze busts featuring members. There are nearly 400 members of the Hall of Fame, each one represented. You’ll find familiar and not-so-familiar names and faces as you walk through the darkened room. From one of the league founders and owner of the Chicago Bears George Halas, the New York Giant great turned TV personality Michael Strahan, you will see legendary people. Infamous characters too are enshrined, including OJ Simpson.

Bronze busts of every enshrined Hall of Famer, including George Hallas, OJ Simpson, and Michael Strahan.
Bronze busts of every enshrined Hall of Famer, including George Hallas, OJ Simpson, and Michael Strahan.

There are plenty of photo opportunities for you throughout your visit. You can try on equipment, compare yourself physically to the game’s greatest, and even get your photo taken next to the  Lombardi Trophy. The Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl each year.  

There are several great displays of the Lombardi Trophy, perfect for a photo opportunity for fans.
There are several great displays of the Lombardi Trophy, perfect for a photo opportunity for fans.

Of course, like any museum, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a great gift shop. It is a shopper’s paradise for fans of the sport, with racks of merchandise for each team in the NFL. If you’re driving through Canton and don’t have time to do the tour, you can still shop in the gift shop even if you don’t pay to go into the museum.

Next door to the Hall of Fame is the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and Hall of Fame Village. This is where the first preseason football game of the year is played.

The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is a part of the museum complex in Canton. The traditional kick off to the season happens each year at this stadium with the first preseason game played.
The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is a part of the museum complex in Canton. The traditional kick off to the season happens each year at this stadium with the first preseason game played.

Cost for Pro Football Hall of Fame Canton

The Hall of Fame is a good stop if you’re in the Cleveland / Akron / Canton, Ohio area. Their hours of operation vary by time of year. Costs is $45 for general admissions, with senior, military and first responder discounts. 

During our visit, the crowds were not large. Granted, we were there during the week in early Spring. Attendance during the summer and weekends could be large, so be prepared if that is when you are visiting. 

We are a baseball first family. While we like football, we are not hard-core fans. Having said that, this was still an enjoyable stop and a good place to spend a few hours. We were there a total of about three hours. You like to incorporate sports in your travel, then check out some of our other adventures with a sports them.

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