Louisville’s NFL connection

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s national traveling exhibit, Gridiron Glory, the best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is currently on exhibition at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Ky. Gridiron Glory showcases more than 200 of the Hall of Fame’s rarest and significant artifacts, including legendary football gear, photos and documents.

NFL Films footage and a variety of hands-on interactive displays brings the 6,000-square foot exhibit to life. Gridiron Glory tackles everything from football’s rich history and cultural impact to the science behind the game. This groundbreaking exhibit truly puts visitors “in the game” alongside football’s greatest pioneers, players and coaches.

Louisville was once home to a National Football League team in the league’s early years. The Louisville Brecks were an NFL team from 1921 through ’23 and rejoined the league in 1926 as the Colonels. The team played at Eclipse Park in the city’s downtown area before a fire destroyed their home in 1922. The team continued to play at the Kentucky Fairgrounds and Parkway Field near what is now Churchill Downs, the annual home of the Kentucky Derby.

Five members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – George Blanda, Dermontti Dawson, Paul Hornung, George McAfee, and Johnny Unitas – have ties to the Louisville and/or Kentucky region. Other notable pro football stars from the Bluegrass State include Seattle Seahawks running back and former 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander (raised in Florence, Ky.), Cleveland Browns All-Pro cornerback Frank Minnefield (raised in Lexington and attended University of Louisville), and Super Bowl XXI MVP quarterback Phil Simms (raised in Louisville and attended Morehead State).

Gridiron Glory will remain at the Frazier History Museum through Aug. 31, 2014. From there the exhibit will travel to The Henry Ford Museum near Detroit, Mich.

Related:
All-time list of NFL teams, 1920-present