Pro Football Hall of Fame to Feature Yearlong 'Character' Exhibit in 2025
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 Payton himself, Peyton Manning, Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson. On-field character will be reflected in stories and artifacts related to overcoming adversity, with Bryant Young, Tom Dempsey and Brandon Burlsworth as some examples. The off-field character of military veterans Rocky Bleier, Pat Tillman and Emlen Tunnell, 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.
Visitors to the museum can experience the elements of “Character” beginning Jan. 6.