My buddy Darrin and I have been planning for a few weeks to drive to Cleveland, OH for the National Sports Collectors Convention. Since we have been talking for years about visiting the Football Hall of Fame and neither of us has ever been, we decided to add an extra day to our trip and visit Canton. It just so happens that this weekend is when 6 new players are getting inducted – more on that later.

So we started our journey from Central New Jersey to Canton at 4:10 AM Friday morning. Our plan was to hit the road butt-crack early and avoid any rush hour traffic in NJ and Eastern PA. Although Darrin is pretty good, my sense of direction is worse than the Atlanta Hawks (with 15 forwards on their roster). So I just got a GPS for my car, let’s hope it works and this story has a happy ending.

So Canton is roughly 7 to 8 hours from Darrin’s house. It’s my car, so I took the first leg of the trip. The roads are in fact empty and I pretty much never take the cruise control off for the first 2+ hours. Darrin has wisely instituted a rule that I can not spend the entire time talking about how good the Celtics will be now that they have Garnett. Of course I veto this rule among others about an hour in (it is my car) and we begin a whirlwind of random sports and pop culture talk that lasts the whole time.

At about 7:00, we are now starving and the car needs gas. One thing you not want to do is get stuck in the middle of Pennsylvania, there’s just nothing there. So we hit the next rest stop and get egg sandwiches and juice at Roy Rogers. Although edible, we should have held out for McDonalds. Note to self since I don’t take many road trips, bathrooms at rest stops in the middle of nowhere are more terrifying than the Yankees getting Johan Santana and Carlos Zambrano.

So we drive for a few more minutes and we see a small group of Amish women picking corn on the side of the highway. I can only imagine the horrors our wives would be in if we ever threatened to dress them in the ugly plaid dresses and gaudy hats. I think this is my first in person Amish sighting, and the jokes fly for about 5 minutes straight.

So the discussion turns to what we’d like to see as a new TV programming. Darrin and I are both big fans of the movie Dodgeball and he enjoyed the Rock, Scissors, Paper blog, so he suggests we create a network (or possibly community web site) around seldom seen sports/games. As much as I hate to admit it, I think he is on to something here. There is just something so compelling around promoting Beer Pong and Competitive Eating (basically my 4 years of college), that this deserves serious consideration.

After almost 6 hours of me driving on little sleep, Darrin pulls a Papelbon and takes over. He did a great job following directions, something Jets certainly couldn’t do in the pre-Parcells era. So at around noon, we finally get to Canton. We find a parking spot and are planning to try to figure out how to get to the museum. Unfortunately it is now 95 degrees with lots of humidity, so we punted and took the shuttle. With it being induction weekend, there seem to be a good number of people in the area. The HOF looks be setting some big white tents that we decide we’ll check out later.

We’ve both been to Cooperstown multiple times, and it’s just awesome. I have heard many passionate fans describe Cooperstown as a somewhat religious experience. You find such a great appreciation for the game and history once you go through the museum, that it can change some of the way you think about certain – especially when putting them in historical context. I know this even more so when thinking about how it has related to my card and autograph collections.

So our expectations are pretty high. After waiting on a surprisingly short line and paying $16 each, we’re in.

We walk around the ground floor and see the best photos from the 2006 season. Some of these of shots were absolutely amazing, but my favorite was the insane look of joy a fan had when his guy jumped into the stands after scoring. This is how it must feel like to be Scott Boras when he suckers yet another owner (i.e. JD Drew for 5 years, $70M).

Unfortunately, I think this was my favorite part of the museum. This place was actually pretty small as compared to what I expected. Maybe there were 6 rooms of displays, and not nearly enough memorabilia. Unlike the NBA Hall of Fame (which is obviously not Cooperstown), I was surprised not to see interactive exhibits. The only semi-interesting things I saw were:

- Helmets worn by Mean Joe Greene an Elvin Bethea had such deep scratches, I need a physics professor to explain to me how it is possible they didn’t crack in half
- Otto Graham and Lou Groza wore onesies that buttoned up from the bottom, similar to my friend’s one year old daughter.
- Frank Gatski’s helmet was made of leather and was soft.
- There was a display on every Super Bowl ring, and boy are they gaudy as anything. I am not sure I could lift my hand and type with one those.
- I was disappointed by the Steelers’s 75th anniversary exhibit.
- HOF Busts are, cool but baseball HOF Plaques are better.
- I was surprised how many fans were decked in jerseys and trash talking with  complete strangers.

Overall we were pretty disappointed. I think Darrin’s cell phone conversation with a coworker sums it up well:

Darrin: “have you ever been to the football Hall of Fame”
Coworker: “nope”
Darrin: “you’re not missing much”

So we went on to the museum store and then outside to check out the tents. Another huge disappointment. Lots of team related items I could easily find over the internet or much cheaper on eBay, but nothing appealing that was HOF specific. It was surprising how little there was relating to the HOFers themselves, and more than I’d expect on current players. They did have for sale signed Goal Line Art ($40 for guys you can easily by mail for much less) and signed HOF mini helmets ($125-300).

We are both cranky and tired, and it’s hotter outside than Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Simpson. We heard there is supposed to be a big ribs cook-off in downtown Canton today, so this is something I can not resist. Unfortunately for us, Canton seems to having their own version of the big dig, and has detours all over the place. So my poor GPS keeps telling us to go down blocked off streets and it’s now 2:30 PM. The other thing we learn as fight Manhattan traffic in Middle America is that Canton has lots fast food chains but no restaurants.

So Darrin bought tickets on eBay for Enshrinement dinner the day before. They have face value of $100, but he got two for $127.50 – a REALLY good job. Now we have no idea what this event is going to be like, other than we think there are going to be a ton of Hall of Famers. The event is scheduled to have a cocktail hour at 5:30, “steak” dinner, and the ceremony.

We pull into a parking lot and change. Putting on new clothes without the luxury of a hotel, bathroom, or air conditioning was not fun. Lots of sticky sweat and some cologne to cover it up.

We decided to get to this thing early to freshen up and scout it out. The indoor and outdoor bars were open early and people starting flowing to a pretty event area. Darrin commented that he now knows what it’s like to be on the sun, go to Canton in August. By this time, there were probably 2-3000 people packed into the cocktail areas.

After about a half hour, we see some fairly big older guys coming in. I recognized Alan Page pretty quickly, but it we had no idea who was with him. The few HOFers at the cocktail hour pretty much hung out together and chatted for a while (I guess the fans wanted to give them space). As more former stars came in, they all made there back to a private area. There was no chance to get autographs, but you could get some quick pictures if you were persistent. The saddest part was that we recognized Trey Wingo, John Clayton, and Darren Woodson from ESPN much easier than any of the actual HOFers (I guess we see those faces on TV).

After cocktails, we sit down for dinner – barely touched it. We sat next two girls who flew in from Dallas as Michael Irvin is getting inducted. Living the Northeast, I totally forgot just how big a following the Cowboys have and how passionate their fans are. Darrin and I were both amazed at how knowledgeable these two were about sports.

As we are eating, former Bills offensive lineman Billy Shaw comes around to meet and greet. What a truly great guy. Before this weekend I knew little about him, but I am forever a fan. He made small chat, signed autographs, and posed for pictures.

After dinner, we went out and got some pictures with some of the players. The two girls we met were pretty persistent but didn’t know all the older players, so tagged along with them to get some pictures. Below are pics of Darrin with Too Tall Jones and Joe DeLamielleure and us both with Deacon Jones:
 

Then came the Enshrinement ceremonies. After we moved to the auditorium (we were in the cheapseats, the VIPs and former players on the floor), they began the awards presentations.

Trey Wingo was the MC of the night, and he did a really good job. I didn’t realize that he is probably in his early 40’s and a bit gray until now. He was pretty funny, and certainly knowledgeable.

Hall of Fame President Steven Perry (not from Journey) made some introductions. I am sure he is a great guy, but he has one of those squeaky voices and his introduction of new commissioner Roger Goodell seemed longer than Bruce Matthews playing career (20 years). Goodell was funny and sincere, and after hearing his LONG track record as NFL COO I am thinking he will be very good for the NFL.

John Clayton won an award for sports journalism. I think he is really good, and he began covering the Steelers in 1972 at the age of 17. He tells a story of how his mother brought him to Steelers games when he was 6. That others in their section would question her about bringing such a young child, and using such expensive seats. He went on to tell about all the great players he saw and how much he learned about football at that time. That this sharing of football at such a young has influenced the path his life taken and how grateful he is for it.

Frank Gifford introduces his former Monday Night Football colleague Don Meredith for a broadcasting award. I have heard my uncle (old school Giants fan) go on and on and on about just how great Gifford was. He told the stories of Pete Roselle and how he played in first Hall of Fame game. It’s really too bad he married Kathy Lee. Meredith’s acceptance is about 10-15 minutes anecdotes and rambling.

Steve Sabol of NFL Films gets a contributors award. Now most of my generation (and before) grew up with Sabol’s commentary, and he is really awesome. If you can put owners and commissioners in the Hall of Fame, Sabol and his father Ed certainly belong to be enshrined (and not just as award recipients). NFL Films started with the 1962 title game (Packers beat Giants in Green Bay – footage bought for $3,000), and had the most HOFers on the field for any title game. After seeing beaten down victorious Packers’s greats Jim Taylor, Bart Starr, and Ray Nitschke (he described the injuries of each) were, he knew the NFL was much different than the college football he was playing at the time and he needed a career change.

Before we get to the new inductees, we are going to introduce all of the returning Hall of Famers. Out of the 151 living football Hall of Famers, I believe over 80 were there in person. The idea was for every one of them to be introduced by Wingo and greet the new Hall of Famers. Here’s the highlights:

- Some of the older guys were acknowledgeable but did not make the walk up the ramp such as – John Henry Johnson, Dante Lavelli, and Lou Creekmur.
- There was nice contigent of Cowboys all introduced in succession – Aikman, Rayfield Wright, Mel Renfro, Bob Lilly.
- Tommy McDonald is an interesting character to say the least. He got a bit of applause, but mostly shocked as he literally danced his way up the ramp. Unfortunately he wiped out after he greeted Bruce Matthews, but was totally fine.
- Bill Dudley is 86 years old, but ran up the ramp and stairs no problem. I believe Charley Trippi is up around the same age, and was looking extremely mobile. Both are good signers by mail.
- John Madden got the biggest applause, hands down. I’d have thought it would have been a Cowboys or Browns guy, but the power of his video games should never be overlooked.
- Steelers fans were in full force with their team playing the Saints in Sunday’s Hall of Fame game and Pittsburgh only 2 hours away. Joe Greene and Lynn Swan got loud applauses.
- John Hannah is huge.

So now on to commentary about each of the inductees (each guy got his yellow jacket):

Gene Hickerson – Guard, Cleveland Browns
I didn’t know much about until today, but he led the way for Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. They showed film, and this guy could really get across the field on pulling for 6’3, 248. It seemed like he was Jim Brown’s personal escort, crushing guys before they got near Brown. Unfortunately Gene is not doing well physically. He was the only inductee not on stage and never really moved from his chair.

Michael Irvin – WR, Cowboys
This guy was so flamboyant and nasty. He’d trash talk, beat you up, and then beat you for catches. Former Eagles CB Bobby Taylor (a bigger and physical CB) said Irvin often intimidated him and he hated that match up.

Charlie Sanders – Tight End, Lions
This guy went to 7 Pro Bowls and was on all 70’s decade team. He has 7 kids and his daughter did a good job belting out the National Anthem. He looks amazingly fit for his age.

Bruce Matthews – Tackle/Guard/Center, Oilers/Titans
Probably a top 5 lineman ever, played 296 games over 20 years. The only first ballot guy here, and well deserving. He is 6’5 and absolutely massive – and at 46 looks like he could still go out on the field. His teammate Mike Muchak stood next to him (and Muchak was a big and great tackle), and Bruce was noticeably bigger and maybe the biggest of all the HOFers tonight (although Jackie Slater could compete here and Bob St. Clair was taller at 6’8).

Thurman Thomas – Running Back, Bills
Always one of my favorites, even when he was killing my Pats. I was happy to see him get elected after getting caught with pot a few years back, and he looked really well. Lots of folks from Buffalo came to see for this, obvious from the loud ovations. It was great to see him go out of his way to pose for a picture with a special needs young fan even though he was obviously being rushed to stay on schedule.

Roger Wherli – Defensive Back, Cardinals
A ballhawk that should have gotten here sooner. He looked really great for a guy in his early 60’s, just more gray than I expected.

So we made a mad dash for the car at around 10 PM, as we had at least an hour to drive to Cleveland. Before we left, we heard Wingo say that there will be 200,000 people at the parade in Canton on Saturday. Sure enough, there were rows of fold up beach chairs and people camping out along the main road to stay there all night. I’m not talking a few people, it went on for about 8-10 blocks on both side of the street. If anything, I must say these fans have blown me away with their dedication.

We got to our hotel in Cleveland by 11:15 PM, making for a 19+ hour marathon day. I know we will both sleep well tonight as we are beyond psyched for the National tomorrow. Overall the experience was very worthwhile, and I am so happy to have done it. Darrin certainly gets much credit getting us into the Enshrinement ceremony.

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