Helping to fulfill its mission to promote the values taught through playing the game of football, the Pro Football Hall of Fame early next year will open a new exhibit titled, simply, “Character.”
Using artifacts, some newly acquired, along with multimedia storytelling and programming, the museum will enhance fans’ understanding and appreciation of where the game and the character traits demonstrated while playing it at the highest levels intersect.
The centerpiece of the Character exhibit will be a large footprint devoted to the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the most coveted individual honor in the National Football League. The display will feature an acknowledgement of past winners, several of whom are enshrined in Canton, along with artifacts related to WALTER PAYTON(Opens in a new window) himself, PEYTON MANNING,(Opens in a new window) JASON TAYLOR(Opens in a new window) and LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON.(Opens in a new window)
On-field character will be reflected in stories and artifacts related to overcoming adversity, with BRYANT YOUNG,(Opens in a new window) Tom Dempsey and Brandon Burlsworth as some examples.
The off-field character of military veterans Rocky Bleier, Pat Tillman and EMLEN TUNNELL,(Opens in a new window) and the heroism of Joe Delaney, will be represented.
Throughout the museum, guests will be provided the opportunity to learn more about 21 special points of interest connecting character to the sport.