Hall of Fame Tour - Football

July 23, 2010
Canton, OH

This morning I made the quick half-hour drive south the Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Similar in size and scope to the Baseball Hall, done in a slightly more modern design, it was an interesting place to spend half a day. Exhibits show the origins and history of the game, and the inductees Hall is well done. As usual, I was able to glean a few tidbits that I didn't know (and some that I probably should have):

• The Redskins began as the Boston Braves and the Steelers began as the Pirates. It must have been confusing with football and baseball teams using the same names.
  
• The Rams and the Cardinals are the only teams to have played in three different cities, each doing a stint in St. Louis.
  
• The Cowboys and the Raiders are the non-expansion teams with no retired numbers (Jaguars and Ravens as well, but they only formed in the 1990s).
  
• I remember the AFL from the 1960s, but didn't know it was the fourth incarnation under that name over the years. AFLs 1-3 and the AAFC in the 1940s (featuring teams with names such as the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers) generally lasted 1-4 seasons and were plagued by financial difficulties. The AAFC ("All-America Football Conference") resulted in the 49ers, Colts and Browns start in the NFL.
  
• The WFL in the 1970s was even more deprived, with "World Bowl" players' uniforms repossessed after the championship game (won by the Birmingham Americans).
  
• Only two teams have existed each year since 1920: the Bears (initially the Decatur and then Chicago Staleys) and the Cardinals.
  
• There was at least one incarnation of the Washington Senators (not much better than baseball, I suppose).
  
• And, who could forget the Tonawanda Kardex, Oorang Indians, Louisville Brecks, Staten Island Stapletons, or the Hartford Blues (originally from Waterbury, actually playing in East Hartford)?

Click here for some pictures from the Football Hall...