Since its establishment in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which honors the greatest players and victories in NFL history, has seen more than 10 million visits
The NFL Hall of Fame has expanded in size and history since its inception in 1963. As stated on its website, its major objective is to “honor the heroes of the game, preserve its history, promote its values, and celebrate excellence everywhere.” It is well-known throughout the world as the largest sports hall of fame in the country.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the only sports museum to be chosen among an elite group of institutions to gain American Alliance of Institutions (AAM) accreditation in 2017. The AAM recognizes only 3% of museums in the US.
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Location of the NFL Hall of Fame
In 1961, the National Football League decided to locate the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Nevertheless, despite being built in 1962, the facility wasn’t made public until September 7, 1963.
Since then, four expansions—in 1971, 1978, 1995, and 2012–2013—have resulted in the museum’s current size of 118,000 square feet, a significant increase from its original 19,000 square feet.
Why Canton?
Canton, Ohio is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for three main reasons:
Canton is where the NFL was created
Although professional American football dates back to 1892, it lacked a formal foundation and structure until September 17, 1920, when a group of men met in a Canton car dealership owned by the Canton Bulldogs owner. After leaving the dealership, the men founded the American Professional Football Association, which was later renamed the National Football League in 1922.
The first squad to win two championships in a row
The fact that the Canton Bulldogs, who have been a part of American football from its inception, won the first two NFL leagues in 1922 and 1923, making them the first team to win back-to-back titles, is another factor in the decision to induct Canton into the Hall of Fame. At 22-0-3 during a 25-game run, the team also set a record for the longest current NFL undefeated streak.
The people of Canton contributed money to construct the Hall of Fame
In the end, and perhaps most importantly, the institution is located in Canton because the locals in 1960 pooled their resources to raise the funds required to create the Hall of Fame through community efforts. The $400,000 fundraising goal was the decisive factor in Canton’s selection as the NFL Hall of Fame’s location.
Additionally, they ran a highly effective campaign to be granted the site designation, focusing on two key points of contention: that Canton was the original home of the league’s founding and that the city was home to one of the greatest and most venerable teams in American football history.
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Football Hall of Fame FAQs
1) Where is the Football Hall of Fame?
The Ohio town of Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2) Do you have access to the Football Hall of Fame tour?
You are free to explore the museum at your own pace and take self-guided tours.
3) Who chooses the Hall of Fame for Pro Football?
The Selection Committee, a 49-person group that is predominately composed of media representatives, chooses the enshrines.