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There are a number of theories floating around about the true development of American football, but most historians agree that it is a revision of two English games, Rugby and soccer. American football came about slowly in the 19th century. In 1963 in Canton, Ohio, marching bands blasted their instruments as excited football fans stood on the sidewalk and cheered on the gleaming parade.
The parade celebrated the opening of the National Professional Football Hall of Fame located in the northwest corner of the city. Canton lies approximately 50 miles south of Cleveland. It was in Canton that the American Football Association was organized in 1920. Later, it became known as the NFL the National Football League. The celebrated Jim Thorpe, the first big-name athlete to play pro football, played his first game with the Bulldogs, beginning in 1915. Today, a graceful seven-foot bronze statue of Jim Thorpe greets visitors as they go into the Hall. Football champions are honored with Bronze busts of themselves placed in the Hall of Fame. Nearby life-sized sketches show them punting, passing, running or tackling and each year since 1963 new members has been elected to the Football Hall of Fame.
Some Special rooms at the Hall:
* Exhibition Rotunda - you can hear all about the first century of pro football.
* Pro Football Today Display - archives of the 31 NFL teams.
* Twin Enshrinement Galleries - see bronze bust of each Hall's members.
* Pro Football Photo-Art Gallery - see photographs from yearly photo contest.
· Adventure Room - hear stories of all other leagues that have challenged the NFL.
They even have a museum store and a library-research center with books and other football material. Upstairs in the Exhibition Rotunda, visitors can watch movies of championship games and other special moments in football. They can pick up a phone and hear tape-recorded messages from extraordinary players such as the famous Jim Thorpe, Byron White or "Red" Grange. The Rotunda also contains a collection of uniforms once worn by famous players, and even contains trophies.
The Hall's special celebrations:
The Annual Football's Greatest Weekend celebration is usually scheduled in late July or the first part of August. Other celebrations or events include the Mayors Breakfast, special luncheons, banquets and the Civic Parade. The Annual Hall of Fame game is played at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field. The first game of the series was played in 1962, a year before the Hall was opened. There has been a Hall of Fame game in Canton every year except for 1966.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is open every day except for Christmas. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except from Memorial Day through Labor Day where it is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission for adults is $10.00 and $5.00 for children under 14. Senior citizens over 62 get a special rate for $6.50. Also, a family rate can be bought for $25.00. The National Professional Football Hall of Fame is a real treasure for football fans everywhere.
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