Special Feature: A Visit to the NFL Hall of Fame

Information sourced from: Pro Football HoF

Last week, while on a spring break road trip with my family, I had the opportunity to visit the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. This would be my second visit to the Hall of Fame, the first being on my honeymoon nearly twelve years ago. I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed the hall of fame, and how much it has improved since we were last there. If you have not had a chance to visit the Hall of Fame, I would encourage it if you are able. My article today can’t begin to do the experience justice. That said, paired with my daughter and wife we took a number of photos to share with all of you, so let’s dig in and take a quick walk through some of the things we were able to see.

After we bought our tickets and walked up the ramp to enter the Hall of Fame, I was greeted by a familiar uniform. While this doesn’t appear to be the number eighty one that I know, it was nice to have the Lions represented almost the minute I walked through the door.

It is only fitting to place Jim Thorpe at the beginning of this walkthrough of the Hall of Fame. The beauty and placement was something to behold.

The meeting minutes from the meeting in which the formation of the early version of NFL was decided. It was noted that this is largely considered the earliest founding document of the NFL.

A small bit of NFL history only inches away.

If you can’t tell, I’m a sucker for history. What I was most struck by in this exhibit was how far we have come. Football is an intense, and at times brutal sport. However, we have come a long way from a player safety perspective. I don’t think anyone would disagree that perspective goes a long way, and it is important to remember where we have come from.

If you know Lions history, you know the Lions started as the Portsmouth Spartans before their eventual move to Detroit in 1934, at that time they were renamed the Lions. Getting to see a ticket booklet from so many years ago linked to the Lions was a nice treat.

I told you I am a sucker for history, and the amount of historical equipment was very cool to see. Here you can see the history of the football.

Seeing items from the Detroit Lions 1952 championship run are still kind of unreal for me. While I have now seen the Lions land a fifteen win season, I still have yet to see them bring home the big championship. Here’s hoping one day soon the Lions will hoist the Lombardi and we as fans will get to revel in our first Super Bowl championship.

As we talk about hoisting the Lombardi, it was very cool to see not just one, but many, up close and personal. Just to think how many people have worked their whole lives for a moment after a Super Bowl to lift a Lombardi trophy into the air is humbling. It may be entertainment to us, but it is a life goal for them. One day in my lifetime I hope to see the Lions

More Lions representation in the Hall of Fame, this was once again around Jack Christiansen, who was represented with the championship jacket above as well.

The evolution of the NFL helmet on full display. Not only did I get to see this exhibit, but I got into a fun conversation with one of the volunteers on hand about the company VICIS and the improvements in helmets that are ensuring players are kept as safe as possible.

Part way through, we were able to sit in on a live presentation about all the defunct NFL franchises. It was eye opening that in the early days, far more teams folded than made it. The Portsmouth Spartans were also represented as a part of this. I have to say it was especially fun for my kids who were able to guess if franchises were still around or not, and win HoF 2026 football cards.

The wall of super bowl rings was something to behold. When you consider each ring represents a season of players fighting for the ultimate goal. They aren’t just rings, they are a token of something much bigger.

I know our country is divided, but following the September 11 attacks in 2001, Pat Tillman (of the Arizona Cardinals) made the decision to join the Army even though he had an NFL career ahead of him. He paid the ultimate price. I just wanted to take a moment to respect the sacrifice he gave. I think that no matter who you are (or where you stand), you can appreciate the heart and bravery of his actions.

The room of Bronze busts is quite the scene. Wall upon wall filled with remembrances of players who fought to play the game. From players today all the way back to the fifties. It gives perspective to just how rich the history of the game we all enjoy truly is, and the brotherhood that has been created as such. I tried to get each and every bust of a Detroit Lion that existed in the Hall of Fame.

And I would be missing a key part if I didn’t highlight the uniform of one of the Lions all time rivals: The referees.

Last but certainly not least, thanks to my kids and wife for always putting up with my neverending love of the game of football. They are what keeps me going. Special thanks to that little girl too for taking some of these pictures to help dad out!

Special thanks to the NFL Hall of Fame volunteers for making our visit special, and always being willing to talk about the thing we all enjoy so much: The game of football.