Character

Exhibits Published on : 1/6/2025
Helping to fulfill its mission to promote the values taught through playing the game of football, the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened an exhibit titled, simply, “Character.”

So many Pro Football Hall of Famers speak on what character means to them.

You have seen or heard about 10 football character values during your visit:

  • Passion.

  • Resilience.

  • Perseverance.

  • Leadership.

  • Teamwork.

  • Humility.

  • Courage.

  • Discipline.

  • Respect.

  • Integrity.

Many Hall of Famers act on these character values through charitable interests outside the confines of "Football Heaven." Here is a rundown of Hall of Famers and some of those interests:

 

Troy Aikman

Troy AikmanHall of Fame Class: 2006.

Aikman Enterprises/The United Way Foundation — Dallas: Visit the website.

Profile: View Aikman's full profile here.




 


Marcus Allen

Marcus AllenHall of Fame Class: 2003.

Marcus Allen Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Allen's full profile here.




 


Morten Andersen

Morten AndersonHall of Fame Class: 2017.

Morten Andersen Family Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Andersen's full profile here.

 



 


Jerome Bettis

Jerome BettisHall of Fame Class: 2015.

Bus Stops Here Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Bettis' full profile here.




 


Fred Biletnikoff

Fred BiletnikoffHall of Fame Class: 1988.

Biletnikoff Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Biletnikoff's full profile here.




 


Mel Blount

Mel BlountHall of Fame Class: 1989.

Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative: Visit the website.

Profile: View Blount's full profile here.




 


Tony Boselli

Tony BoselliHall of Fame Class: 2022.

The Boselli Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Boselli's full profile here.




 


Derrick Brooks

Derrick BrooksHall of Fame Class: 2014.

Derrick Brooks Charities: Visit the website.

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School: Visit the website.

Profile: View Brooks' full profile here.


 


Tim Brown

Tim BrownHall of Fame Class: 2015.

Stars Helping Heroes: Visit the website.

Profile: View Brown's full profile here.




 


Isaac Bruce

Isaac BruceHall of Fame Class: 2020.

Isaac Bruce Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Bruce's full profile here.




 


LeRoy Butler

LeRoy ButlerHall of Fame Class: 2022.

Butler vs. Bullying: Visit the website.

Fall School Tour: Visit the website.

Profile: View Butler's full profile here.


 


Earl Campbell

Earl CampbellHall of Fame Class: 1991.

Flavors of Austin/Pro Player Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Butler's full profile here.




 


Harry Carson

Harry CarsonHall of Fame Class: 2006.

Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Carson's full profile here.




 


Jimbo Covert

Jimbo Covert.Hall of Fame Class: 2020.

Vitalant Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Covert's full profile here.




 


Bill Cowher

Bill CowherHall of Fame Class: 2020.

James Beard Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Cowher's full profile here.




 


Brian Dawkins

Brian DawkinsHall of Fame Class: 2018.

Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Dawkins' full profile here.




 


Edward DeBartolo Jr.

Edward DeBartolo Jr.Hall of Fame Class: 2016.

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School: Visit the website.

Profile: View DeBartolo's full profile here.




 


Joe DeLamielleure

Joe DeLamielleureHall of Fame Class: 2003.

The city of Children Orphanage (Mexico): Visit the website.

Profile: View DeLamielleure's full profile here.




 


Richard Dent

Richard DentHall of Fame Class: 2011.

Make a Dent Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Dent's full profile here.




 


Eric Dickerson

Eric DickersonHall of Fame Class: 1999.

Young Warriors Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Dickerson's full profile here.




 


Dan Dierdorf

Dan DierdorfHall of Fame Class: 1996.

The Buddy Fund Advisory Board: Visit the website.

Profile: View Dierdorf's full profile here.




 


Mike Ditka

Mike DitkaHall of Fame Class: 1988.

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund: Visit the website.

Profile: View Ditka's full profile here.




 


Tony Dungy

Tony DungyHall of Fame Class: 2016.

Dungy Family Foundation: Visit the website.

All Pro Dad Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Dungy's full profile here.


 


Kenny Easley

Kenny EasleyHall of Fame Class: 2017.

GTA Celebrity Golf Classic hosted by Kenny Easley: Visit the website.

Profile: View Easley's full profile here.




 


Dan Fouts

Dan FoutsHall of Fame Class: 1996.

Dominic Founts Memorial Cancer Fund: Visit the website.

Profile: View Fouts' full profile here.




 


Joe Gibbs

Joe GibbsHall of Fame Class: 1993.

Game Plan for Life Ministry: Visit the website.
 
Youth forTomorrow Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Gibbs' full profile here.


 


Tony Gonzalez

Tony GonzalezHall of Fame Class: 2019.

Shadow Buddies Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Gonzalez's full profile here.




 


Darrell Green

Darrell GreenHall of Fame Class: 2008.

Youth Life Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Green's full profile here.


 

 


Joe Greene

Joe GreeneHall of Fame Class: 1993.

Greene Family Foundation/Agnes Lucille Craft Greene Memorial Scholarship: Visit the website.

Profile: View Greene's full profile here.


 

 


Bob Griese

Bob GrieseHall of Fame Class: 1990.

Judi's House Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Griese's full profile here.




 


Charles Haley

Charles HaleyHall of Fame Class: 2015.

Tackle Tomorrow: Visit the website.

Profile: View Haley's full profile here.

 


 


Cliff Harris

Cliff HarrisHall of Fame Class: 2020.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-Dallas chapter: Visit the website.

Profile: View Harris' full profile here.




 


Mike Haynes

Mike HaynesHall of Fame Class: 1997.

Pro Football Retired Players Association: Visit the website.

Profile: View Haynes' full profile here.


 

 


Ted Hendricks

Ted HendricksHall of Fame Class: 1990.

Ted Hendricks Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Hendricks' full profile here.




 


Michael Irvin

Michael IrvinHall of Fame Class: 2007.

Playmakers Academy: Visit the website.

Profile: View Irvin's full profile here.




 


Rickey Jackson

Rickey JacksonHall of Fame Class: 2010.

Rickey Jackson Community Hope Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Jackson's full profile here.




 


Edgerrin James

Edgerrin JamesHall of Fame Class: 2020.

Edgerrin James Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View James' full profile here.




 


Calvin Johnson

Calvin JohnsonHall of Fame Class: 2021.

Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Johnson's full profile here.




 


Jerry Jones

Jerry JonesHall of Fame Class: 2017.

Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Jones' full profile here.




 


Sonny Jurgensen

Sonny JurgensenHall of Fame Class: 1983.

Code of Support Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Jurgensen's full profile here.




 


Jim Kelly

Jim KellyHall of Fame Class: 2002.

Hunter's Hope Foundation: Visit the website.

Kelly for Kids Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Kelly's full profile here.


 


Willie Lanier

Willie LanierHall of Fame Class: 1986.

The Honey Bear Project/Willie Lanier Legacy: Visit the website.

NFL Player Care Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Lanier's full profile here.


 


Marv Levy

Marv LevyHall of Fame Class: 2001.

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund: Visit the website.

Profile: View Levy's full profile here.




 


Ray Lewis

Ray LewisHall of Fame Class: 2018.

Power52 Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Lewis' full profile here.




 


Larry Little

Larry LittleHall of Fame Class: 1993.

Larry Little Gold Coast Summer Camp: Visit the website.

Profile: View Little's full profile here.




 


Howie Long

Howie LongHall of Fame Class: 2000.

The Chris Long Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Long's full profile here.




 


Ronnie Lott

Ronnie LottHall of Fame Class: 2000.

All Stars Helping Kids: Visit the website.

Champion Charities: Visit the website.

Child Mind Institute: Visit the website.

Profile: View Lott's full profile here.
 


John Lynch

John LynchHall of Fame Class: 2021.

John Lynch Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Lynch's full profile here.




 


Peyton Manning

Peyton ManningHall of Fame Class: 2021.

PeyBack Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Manning's full profile here.




 


Dan Marino

Dan MarinoHall of Fame Class: 2005.

Dan Marino Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Marino's full profile here.




 


Randall McDaniel

Randall McDanielHall of Fame Class: 2009.

Huddle Up for Kids Foundation: Visit the website.

Open Arms Home for Children: Visit the website.

Profile: View McDaniel's full profile here.


 


Ron Mix

Ron MixHall of Fame Class: 1979.

Pro Football Retired Players Association: Visit the website.

Profile: View Mix's full profile here.




 


Joe Montana

Joe MontanaHall of Fame Class: 2000.

Four Rings Montana Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Montana's full profile here.




 


Anthony Muñoz

Anthony MunozHall of Fame Class: 1998.

Muñoz Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Muñoz's full profile here.




 


Joe Namath

Joe NamathHall of Fame Class: 1985.

Joe Namath Charitable Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Namath's full profile here.




 


Ozzie Newsome

Ozzie NewsomeHall of Fame Class: 1999.

NFL Player Care Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Newsome's full profile here.




 


Jonathan Ogden

Jonathan OgdenHall of Fame Class: 2013.

Ogden Family Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Ogden's full profile here.




 


Alan Page

Alan PageHall of Fame Class: 1988.

Page Education Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Page's full profile here.




 


Troy Polamalu

Troy PolamaluHall of Fame Class: 2020.

Troy and Theodora Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Polamalu's full profile here.




 


Andre Reed

Andre ReedHall of Fame Class: 2014.

Andre Reed Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Reed's full profile here.




 


Ed Reed

Ed ReedHall of Fame Class: 2019.

Ed Reed Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Reed's full profile here.




 


Jerry Rice

Jerry RiceHall of Fame Class: 2010.

The Jerry Rice 127 Foundation: Visit the website.

8 to 80 Zones: Visit the website.

Profile: View Rice's full profile here.


 


Dave Robinson

Dave RobinsonHall of Fame Class: 2013.

Pro Football Retired Players Association: Visit the website.

Profile: View Robinson's full profile here.




 


Deion Sanders

Deion SandersHall of Fame Class: 2011.

Stand Together Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Sanders' full profile here.




 


Donnie Shell

Donnie ShellHall of Fame Class: 2020.

Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Shell's full profile here.




 


Will Shields

Will ShieldsHall of Fame Class: 2015.

Will to Succeed Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Shields' full profile here.




 


Mike Singletary

Mike SingletaryHall of Fame Class: 1998.

Changing Our Perspective Foundation: Visit the website.

Pro Football Retired Players Association: Visit the website.

Profile: View Singletary's full profile here.


 


Jackie Slater

Jackie SlaterHall of Fame Class: 2001.

Pro Football Retired Players Association: Visit the website.

Profile: View Slater's full profile here.




 


John Stallworth

John StallworthHall of Fame Class: 2002.

John Stallworth Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Stallworth's full profile here.




 


Dwight Stephenson

Dwight StephensonHall of Fame Class: 1998.

Dwight Stephenson Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Stephenson's full profile here.




 


Michael Strahan

Michael StrahanHall of Fame Class: 2014.

Merging Vets & Players: Visit the website.

Profile: View Strahan's full profile here.




 


Fran Tarkenton

Fran TarkentonHall of Fame Class: 1986.

Atlanta Children's Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Tarkenton's full profile here.




 


Jason Taylor

Jason TaylorHall of Fame Class: 2017.

Jason Taylor Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Taylor's full profile here.




 


Thurman Thomas

Thurman ThomasHall of Fame Class: 2007.

Thurman Thomas Family Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Thomas' full profile here.




 


LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDanian TomlinsonHall of Fame Class: 2017.

Team America/Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Tomlinson's full profile here.




 


Brian Urlacher

Brian UrlacherHall of Fame Class: 2018.

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund: Visit the website.

Profile: View Urlacher's full profile here.




 


Dick Vermeil

Dick VermeilHall of Fame Class: 2022.

Richard & Carolyn Vermeil Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Vermeil's full profile here.




 


Kurt Warner

Kurt WarnerHall of Fame Class: 2017.

First Things First Foundation: Visit the website.

Treasure House Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Warner's full profile here.


 


Aeneas Williams

Aeneas WilliamsHall of Fame Class: 2014.

Pastor of Spirit Church: Visit the website.

Profile: View Williams' full profile here.




 


Charles Woodson

Charles WoodsonHall of Fame Class: 2021.

Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund: Visit the website.

Profile: View Woodson's full profile here.




 


Rod Woodson

Rod WoodsonHall of Fame Class: 2009.

Hope Through Football: Visit the website.

Profile: View Woodson's full profile here.





 

Bryant Young

Bryant YoungHall of Fame Class: 2022.

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Visit the website.

Profile: View Young's full profile here.



 

 


Steve Young

Bryant YoungHall of Fame Class: 2005.

The Forever Young Foundation: Visit the website.

8 to 80 Zones: Visit the website.

Profile: View Young's full profile here.



 

Jack Youngblood

Jack YoungbloodHall of Fame Class: 2001.

Pro Football Retired Players Association: Visit the website.

Profile: View Youngblood's full profile here.