Canton

September 21

It may have been a wasted night at the rest stop south of Chicago Tuesday night. With the incessant din of the diesel engines and the constant turnover of visitors, I’m not sure how much sleep Barb or I were able to get in the 10 hour stay.

Today was a wasted day. I know there are going to be a few of them on this trip. I guess I didn’t figure that a national landmark would be one of them.

Today we traveled south to Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was extremely disappointing. I wish we would have stayed in this area, riding our bikes amongst the historic areas or spending the day on the shores of Lake Erie. I should have known better. This is supposed to be a trip to discover America, not a visit to Madison Avenue.

It is not a museum. It is nothing less than a garish depiction of self glorification. Yes, they have the jerseys. Yes, they have the history. But it projects the athlete as some type of god. I felt it was an opportunity for NFL management to strut their stuff, rather than it being a celebration of athleticism. There was little that depicted fitness, athletic skill, cooperative talents, leadership, work ethic, and commitment. It was pure hype.

Football is catching a spiral and falling to the wet grass on a fall afternoon. Canton is the Superbowl – commercials and a half time show. Did they play a game? Sorry I wasted my and Barb’s day. I hope Cooperstown does it better.