Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

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Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Photo Credit: Paul M. Walsh.

National Football League

Pro Football Hall of Fame Game takes place each summer. And it is held the same weekend as the induction ceremony of the NFL’s Hall of Fame. The game is played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, close to the Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio.

Hall of Fame Game 2021

The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 59th annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday 5 August 2021.

Both teams will be making their seventh appearance in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. And they both have a 3-3 win-loss record in the event.

Because there was no enshrinement in 2020 because of COVID_19, two enshrinement will be held this year. And both events will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The game, which was first played in 1962, holds special significance in 2021 because the National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1921. So this year mark’s the NFL’s centennial.

For this reason, there will be a special Centennial Celebration in 2021. It will run for several days. And it is being jointly staged by Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

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Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Photo Credit: Harrier233.

Originally called  Fawcett Stadium, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is home to three major events each summer.

In addition to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the induction ceremony is held there. Thirdly, there is an Enshrinement and Concert for Legends.

Moreover, the Stadium hosts high school and college football during both the regular season and the playoff.

In fact, the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships and the NCAA Division III National Football Championships are held there.

Finally, concerts are often held at the stadium. For example, Pitbull, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Marroon 5, and Imagine Dragons have all performed there.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Photo Credit: Erik Drost

Located in Canton, Ohio, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a sort of Mecca for NFL fans. In fact, the museum houses an impressive collection of NFL memorabilia.

And it pays tribute to the talents and triumphs of pro football’s greatest legends.

The Hall of Fame does not only enshrine football players. In addition, it honours coaches, franchise owners, and front-office personnel. To clarify, the Hall inducts between four and eight new enshrinees each year.

Inductees are called “Gold Jackets” because they receive gold jackets at the induction ceremony.  Between four and eight new inductees are normally enshrined every year.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame opened in 1963.

Why Canton, Ohio?

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Courtland Hotel, Canton, Ohio.

Canton is the county seat of Stark County, Ohio. And it is located approximately 60 miles south of Cleveland and 20 miles south of Akron in the Northeastern part of the state.

Since Canton doesn’t have a NFL franchise, why was Canton chosen to host the NFL Football Hall of Fame?

Firstly, the American Professional Football Association, the forerunner of the National Football League, was founded in Canton in 1920.

Secondly, the Canton Bulldogs were an early pro football powerhouse.

Finally, the citizens of Canton launched a spirited  campaign to convince the NFL to locate the hall in their city. In fact, they raised a substantial sum of money to this end.

Akron/Canton Airport

The closest airport to the Hall of Fame is Akron/Canton Airport.

In fact, four airlines serve the airport. American Airlines, Breeze, Spirit, and United Airlines fly nonstop to the following cities:

  • Charlotte
  • Charleston
  • Chicago
  • Fort Myers
  • Myrtle Beach
  • New Orleans
  • Orlando
  • Philadelphia
  • Tampa
  • Washington National
  • Washington Dulles

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