Pro Football Hall of Fame

Guide Note

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the place where football immortals are enshrined. Located in Ohio town of Canton, the Hall welcomes four to seven new members every summer with induction ceremonies and a pre-season National Football League game.

History

Construction on the Hall began in Canton, Ohio on August 11, 1962 and concluded the next year. Canton was selected as the location for a variety of reasons, including that the town had one of the first two professional football teams in the history of the country. A total of 16 players, coaches and team owners were inducted in the first induction ceremony in 1963.

Expansion

Originally a two room building, the Hall underwent three separate renovations in 1971, 1987 and 1995. Additionally, the gallery was renovated in 2003, forming what now stands as a two floor, 82,307 square foot building.

Inductions

Each year fans can nominate players, coaches and other members of team management for inclusion in the Hall. Players and coaches must be retired from the league for a minimum or five years to be eligible.

A 44 person Board of Selectors then narrows the nominations down to 15 finalists. A separate Senior Board adds two further candidates to the final voting, held each year on the day before the Super Bowl.

Ceremony and celebration

Generally held the first weekend of August, between four and seven members are inducted into the Hall during the official induction ceremony. The following day a NFL pre-season game, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is held. Both events bring large numbers of spectators for the week long celebration of football's finest.

Fast Facts

1. Established: 1963
2. Most inductees: 26 = Chicago and Green Bay
3. 2007 induction: August 4
4. 2007 inductees: Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas, and Roger Wehrli
5. 2007 HOF Game: August 5, New Orleans vs. Pittsburgh
6. Only 3 current teams not represented: Baltimore, Houston, and Jacksonville
7. USC has most Pro Football Hall of Fame alumni (11)