Honouring the legends of your game is, in our opinion, absolutely vital to the legacy of the sport in question. These men and women were trail blazers in shaping the foundation of football, basketball or whatever your favourite sport may be. As such they need to be recognised for their achievements, which is something that football haven’t really figured out in comparison to the gridiron.
The Pro Football (the American version) Hall of Fame is an institution. Located in Canton, Ohio there have been some incredible moments shared between fans and players alike over the years – and it’s all because of the HOF. Legendary football figures have been memorialised for years to come, and it really is something to be admired.
Unlike the WWE equivalent they don’t just throw anyone in for the sake of it, because the NFL has little bit more dignity than that. There are certain restrictions and a set voting order in place, meaning that only a handful of lucky veterans will ever receive the honour of being inducted on a yearly basis.
Getting that call is something that serves as a major motivator for people up and down the league, because it means that you’ve made it. In many ways it’s as important as finally receiving a Super Bowl ring, because your singular excellence is highlighted above the team efforts of winning a world championship.
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The induction ceremony itself is a moment to behold, as friends and family alike gather to celebrate the body of work someone has created. By contrast the footballing world never really know how to combine all of these elements, and perhaps that’s just because the Americans understand the showmanship side of things a bit more.
Instead of a winter break which everyone seems intent on suggesting, why not just hold the ceremony in a specified location which includes a Hall of Fame game? The small yet comfortable Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton makes the festivities feel all the more important, and given the love for the sport of ‘soccer’ it makes no sense not to capitalise on the history behind it.
Sure it would involve throwing a lot of egos together from every corner of the world, but once FIFA pulls itself together we could have something special on our hands. Underappreciated names from behind the scenes and on the pitch can finally enter the public limelight, with their nostalgic presence being a respectable way of pulling the curtain down on their career.
We aren’t saying that things need to go too over the top, but it just gives the fans another chance to interact and listen to the men behind the set of skills.
It isn't about the media attention, it’s about the memories that last a lifetime.
