Windy City's Connection to Canton
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Class of 2005 inductee |
Chicago has many connections to the Pro Football Hall of Fame right down to the museum’s mailing address – 2121 George Halas Drive.
The legendary Hall of Fame owner, player, and coach of the Bears was one of the men who gathered in an automobile showroom in downtown Canton in 1920 to form the American Professional Football Association (later renamed the NFL).
So, the Chicago Bears and their fans should feel right at home in Canton as the team makes it fourth trip to the city to play in the annual preseason classic (Related Story: Bears to face Dolphins in 2005 HOF Game ) in August.
Not only do the Bears boast the most members in the Hall of Fame (26) but the “Windy City” has produced the most members as well. A total of eleven Hall of Famers, including Class of 2005 enshrinee Fritz Pollard, were born in Chicago.
| Charles Bidwill | September 16, 1895 |
| Dick Butkus | December 9, 1942 |
| Tony Canadeo | May 5, 1919 |
| George Connor | January 21, 1925 |
| George Halas | February 2, 1895 |
| Marv Levy | August 3, 1925 |
| Mike McCormack | June 21, 1930 |
| Fritz Pollard | January 27, 1894 |
| Hank Stram | January 3, 1923 |
| George Trafton | December 6, 1896 |
| Ron Yary | July 16, 1946 |
Other cities which were the birthplaces of several future Hall of Famers include: New York (7), Pittsburgh (6), and Cleveland (5). Five other cities -- Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and San Francisco – are the birthplace of three Hall of Famers.
Related Story:
Hall of Famers Birthplace by State
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Bears to face Dolphins in 2005 HOF Game
The Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins will play in the 2005 AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The preseason classic will be televised on ABC's Monday Night Football on August 8.