Pro Football Hall of Fame reopens doors to public

After a nearly three-month closure as the entire nation locked down to slow the spread of a global pandemic, the Pro Football Hall of Fame reopened its doors to the public Wednesday.

HOF President David Baker Welcomes Guests Back

After a brief ceremony on the steps outside the Hall, two men walked through its doors as the first guests since March 15.

Grady Malachowski, of Akron, and his friend Mike Noland, of Monroe, La., received complementary admission tickets and also were offered the opportunity to tour areas with David Baker, president and CEO of the Hall.

“This is a historic day. It has been a historic journey,” Baker told the Hall staff moments before joining Dennis Nash, head of Kenan Advantage Group and chairman of the Hall’s Board of Trustees, and other dignitaries in cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

Baker noted the Hall had not been closed for more than two consecutive days in its 57-year history. As part of the Hall’s mission, “We celebrate excellence everywhere, and that’s what we’re going to do today,” he said.

Today we reopened for visitors after a nearly three-month closure as the entire nation locked down to slow the spread of a global pandemic. @PFHOFPrez welcomed the first guests who came to tour this morning. pic.twitter.com/4bXGuyZ5oR

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 10, 2020

Malachowski stepped into the Hall wearing one of his favorite shirts: a 2017 Hall of Fame Game T-shirt with helmets of the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. He also wore a Cowboys cap, saying (as if it wasn’t apparent) the Cowboys are his favorite NFL team.

The trip to the Hall was a first for Noland, who said he was eager to see what awaited him inside the museum’s walls.

A short time later, Baker appeared on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show to discuss not only the reopening, but also other Hall initiatives, such as #HuddleUpAmerica, Strong Youth Strong Communities and Project Isaiah.

(Part 1) .@ProFootballHOF President, David Baker, joined #GMFB to talk about the grand re-opening of the Hall of Fame, supporting social justice initiatives, what we can expect for future enshrinement ceremonies, and more! pic.twitter.com/7PZPO3XGrC

— GMFB (@gmfb) June 10, 2020

(Part 2) .@ProFootballHOF President, David Baker, joined #GMFB to talk about the grand re-opening of the Hall of Fame, supporting social justice initiatives, what we can expect for future enshrinement ceremonies, and more! pic.twitter.com/T4M6sfcVK9

— GMFB (@gmfb) June 10, 2020

Health and Safety Precautions for HOF Visitors

Class of 2020 Enshrinee Jimbo Covert Visited the Hall

Class of 2020 member Jim Covert and his son Scott visited today and contributed artifacts to the Hall from Covert's playing career!#PFHOF20 | @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/tj23cczReg

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 10, 2020

Highlights from Reopening

Today, the Hall welcomed guests for the first time since March 15. Watch highlights from our reopening. pic.twitter.com/eFj4snl3CA

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 10, 2020