Two things today, the first of them being a game that will signal the start of the NFL season overall.
That’s the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals, on Thursday night at 8 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. NBC has the telecast.
That game does not count in the standings. It is a preseason game, an exhibition game, as they used to be called, or a practice game.
It is, though, more importantly, our game, for all those — all of you — who stake a claim, or two or three or four or more, to Northeast Ohio, either as a native, resident or with family here.
It is so cool to have the football world tune in to the game that begins the biggest weekend — Hall of Fame weekend, induction weekend — for one of the biggest attractions, jewels and sense of pride, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which attracts visitors from around the world.
So, we will watch the game and all the other parts of the festival over these next several days. It is a chance — our responsibility, really — to support the game and see how our area looks to all the viewers. We already know, actually. It will look great.
It is so exciting. The season — football season, that for which we so impatiently wait each year at this time — is finally here.
Let’s go!
As for the Browns, they’ve played in the Hall of Fame Game a number of times over the years, including in the first contest on Sept. 7, 1963 when they met the Pittsburgh Steelers at what was then known as Fawcett Stadium. It was thought that a game would be a nice addition to the festivities, and the closest teams to the Hall, Cleveland, an hour to the north, and Pittsburgh, two hours to the east, were asked to participate. That was the day the HOF opened to the public and inducted its first class of 17. That was a lot for one day. Now those events, and others, are spread over the entire weekend.
Now for the other topic to be discussed, the Cleveland Browns Legends, the team’s Hall of Fame. The three-member 2026 class of Brian Brennan, Alex Mack and Lou Rymkus was announced the other day. All are more than worthy of being inducted.
Young was the right tackle on the Browns’ first six teams from 1946-51. A good number of the players from the early days have been enshrined over the years, but there are still others who need to be inducted. Indeed, those first teams were so off-the-charts good. You have to recognize those players.
That list includes another right tackle in John Sandusky, cornerback Don Paul and defensive end George Young. From the 1960s, right tackle Monte Clark and cornerback Mike Howell should be in, along with kicker Matt Bahr, linebacker Mike Johnson, defensive lineman Carl Hairston and wide receiver Reggie Langhorne from the 1980s.
Steve King
