Hall of Fame sculptor visits shrine

General Published on : 1/1/2005

Blair Buswell poses with his first bust, Sid Gillman

Renowned artist and Hall of Fame sculptor Blair Buswell visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 28. Buswell has had the task of creating the bronze busts for newly enshrined Hall of Famers for more than 20 years. He has sculpted over 50 of the busts, all of which are on display in the Hall of Fame Gallery. The first bust Buswell created was Sid Gillman's in 1983. This year he created all four busts for the Class of 2004 - Bob Brown, Carl Eller, John Elway, and Barry Sanders.

The process of creating the bronzed likeness of each Hall of Famer is a six to seven month process that begins each year at the Pro Bowl, just a week after the newest class is elected. There Buswell takes detailed measurements of each of the Hall of Famers heads. From there he begins work on the clay sculpture. After several months and final approval from the Hall of Famers themselves, the images are cast in bronze. The bronze busts usually arrive just days before the enshrinement. After the ceremony, they are put on permanent display in the Hall of Fame.

Class of 2004 Busts

Class of 1971: Vince Lombardi

Legendary coach Vince Lombardi guided the Green Bay Packers and then the Washington Redskins to immediate success.

Newest Additions to the Hall's Collection

The Hall of Fame's collection grows each year as current day mementos are donated to the museum.