Family receives keys to home Pro Football Hall of Fame staff helped build

By: Jim Smith/Pro Football Hall of Fame
image: Habitat Paynther home 01 habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-13-of-79_55447750657_o
The Pro Football Hall of Fame teamed up with Habitat for Humanity, James Hardie and the Paynther family to build the family a home in Canton, Ohio.Credit: Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio

Fans at Football’s Greatest Weekend in Canton, Ohio, celebrated parades, hot air balloons, a fan fest, Gold Jackets and Bronze Busts. Yet one of the most powerful celebrations occurred when a family became homeowners for the first time.

Through a partnership among Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, James Hardie and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Bryan and Jeanné Paynther’s family was presented the keys to their home that the trio of partners and the family collaborated to construct. The ceremony occurred on the grounds of the new home in southwest Canton.

“It is a special day,” Pro Football Hall of Fame President & CEO Jim Porter declared. “We’ve got a lot going on this weekend, but nothing is more important than what we’re doing right here.”

Porter noted that 100% of the Hall of Fame’s full-time employees worked on the house.

“The gift it gave us is a team that is stronger. They are so proud to have done this. Every team came back and talked about how incredible this (Paynther) family is,” he said.

“We value bringing the Hall of Fame, Habitat and James Hardie together around a shared commitment,” said James Hardie’s Molly Ernst-Alper, Director of Global Social Impact. “We know that one of our greatest strengths as a company actually lies in standing alongside our communities. It’s about truly bringing the commitment into action.”

image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-64-of-79_55449115035_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-3-of-29_55199090244_o
image: Habitat Paynther home paynther-family-8-of-16_55166333343_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-13-of-29_55197950917_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-35-of-41_55213745405_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-11-of-53_55228103659_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-24-of-33_55243183775_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-22-of-53_55226946862_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-7-of-12_55267914411_o
image: Habitat Paynther home james-hardie-9-of-31_55267248902_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-31-of-41_55213591859_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-21-of-25_55330811168_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-9-of-79_55448835128_o
image: Habitat Paynther home paynther-family-home-3-of-10_55444452531_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-8-of-79_55447750557_o
image: Habitat Paynther home pro-football-hall-of-fame-5-of-25_55331086990_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-1-of-79_55448883094_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-44-of-79_55449114295_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-31-of-79_55449114070_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-61-of-79_55448715441_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-53-of-79_55448715306_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-62-of-79_55447752182_o
image: Habitat Paynther home habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-4-of-79_55449113180_o
image: Habitat Paynther home 01 habitat---hardie---hall-of-fame-13-of-79_55447750657_o
image: Habitat Paynther home paynther-family-home-1-of-10_55444452566_o

Following the passing of the home’s keys from Habitat CEO Beth Lechner through a line of Hall of Famers in attendance, Hall of Fame representative Jim Smith and into the hands of Bryan Paynther, the family offered their first mortgage payment and shared their appreciation of the occasion.

“This home represents hope, stability and a promising future for our family. Most importantly it provides a solid foundation for our son,” Jeanné Paynther said.

“For my son, the majority of his childhood will now be defined by a consistent and nurturing setting. He now has a room where he can grow and flourish and a yard where he can create memories,” Brian Paynther said. “Today, he stands on the brink of witnessing a miracle, a testament to the power of prayer.”

Hall of Famers ERIC ALLEN, STEVE ATWATER, JOE DeLAMIELLEURE, TOM MACK, DREW PEARSON, JACKIE SLATER and LYNN SWANN were in attendance to celebrate with the Paynther family, along with Hall of Famer spouses and family representatives.

“You’re now part of our family, and thank you for letting us be part of yours,” Porter shared with the family. “May your new home be filled with joy, laughter, peace and countless blessings.”

Related News