Gridiron Glory: a peek inside
Two-hundred of the Hall's choicest historical football artifacts will be on display. Some have never before been seen to the public.
Here's an article that I wrote on the topic for the print and online editions.
I was last in Canton a few years ago, and while I greatly enjoyed the history presented, I was struck by how dated the displays looked and how badly in need of updating the place was -- it almost had a campy quaintness to it. Not what we've come to expect from the uber-slick marketing of the National Football League.
In 2011 I saw a smaller travelling exhibit of Hall artifacts as part of the NFL Experience at the Dallas Convention Center in the days before Super Bowl XLV. Again, the items were interesting, but they were likewise poorly presented given their timelessness.
To it's credit, the History Center makes a dramatic presentation of the items on loan from Canton, more appropriate given their stature in the American sporting psyche. In addition, numerous interactive and video displays are a part of the exhibit.
And for all you Saturday morning Strip District shoppers, Steelers Hall of Famers Franco Harris and Dermontti Dawson will be the guests of honor at a Gridiron Glory Kickoff Pep Rally & Tailgate party at 10 a.m. Saturday outside of the History Center.
Check out the pictures below of some of the items that will on display. You can find information about ticket prices and the hours of admission to the exhibition here.
