Even if you're not a football junkie like me, you gotta check out a couple of small buildings near the birthplace of pro football. These buildings hold everything you'd ever need to see or know about pro football. On December 22nd, 2002, I was lucky enough to visit a football junkie's best fix - the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and I gotta say, it was everything I hoped!

First, the Hall has a great location. Though not home today to an NFL franchise, Canton is the birthplace of pro football has nostalgic roots. The Hall has a great display that shows you how pro football came about. I didn't get to read it all. My daughters (8 and 2) and wife weren't terribly interested so I read as much as I could in a short time. I guess that's my only caveat to this being a great trip. Although it's great to share my love for football with my family, they are not into it as much as me. Thus, a solo return trip is planned (though no date is set, it will happen).

The Hall didn't surprised me in its treasure-trove of contents, it surprised me in how everything was in such great condition. Everything looked brand new! I was also surprised by their collection of items. It seems everyone has donated something. In fact, a pair of Michael Vick's shoes were already in the Hall from his 173 record-breaking rushing yards against the Minnesota Vikings on December 1st. That was quick!

Surprisingly, I found no Emmitt Smith memorabilia. I really expected to see something mentioning him becoming the NFL's all-time rusher. All I found from that record was E. Smith being listed #1 on the all-time rushing list. The Hall has boards listing things like most yards rushing, most yards receiving, etc.

I was also impressed with the two halls of enshrined pro football notables. It was fun to look at all the all-time greats. Wow!

I was also impressed with the displays. The Hall had a "Football and America" display that covered football and our nation in times of war and crisis. It is a great patriotic reminder. It also occurred to me that this is one of Canton's displays. I can only imagine they have warehouses and warehouses of NFL memorabilia. I wish I lived closer to the Hall to see displays as they change them. I'm sure they mix it up from time to time to generate interest. I wish I could be there to check that out.

They also have massive theatres showing you NFL films. As you probably know, those are well worth seeing!!

Before you go, one tip - get an MBNA NFL Visa card (I've got mine!!). If you show your MBNA NFL Visa, you get in free!! Thank you, MBNA!