Say cheese! Pro Football Hall of Famers take group photo in downtown Canton
CANTON − Visitors from near and far crowded around the barricades and lined the downtown route Friday for the second annual Pro Football Hall of Famer Walk.
Many brought items with the hope that players would break the no-autograph rule and others simply were there to enjoy the atmosphere.
The Class of 2023 and about 100 returning Hall of Famers made their way on foot or by golf cart around 10:30 a.m. from the DoubleTree by Hilton to Centennial Plaza about five blocks away. Marv Levy, an NFL coach for 17 seasons and the oldest living Hall of Famer at 98 years old, led the procession with the aid of a walker.
The oldest surviving Hall of Famer Marv Levy leads the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Famer Walk & Photo Op from the DoubleTree by Hilton to Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
The group posed for a photo in the plaza before dispersing. Fans in Miami Dolphin attire dominated the crowd, which shifted to follow players and call out names.
“Zach! Zach!” they shouted for Miami Dolphins linebacker and class of 2023 inductee Zach Thomas. He greeted fans and thanked them for coming after the group photo.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 take their seats front and center for the official player photo during the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Famer Walk & Photo Op at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
Thomas signed the back of 1-year-old D’mitri’s white T-shirt and 5-year-old Brynleigh’s stuffed Pikachu. Their mother, Kristen Taddei, who was there with her fiance Derek Lopez and father Don Taddei, said they felt blessed to have that interaction with a Hall of Famer.
“You don’t see that all the time,” she said.
“What a class act,” Don Taddei agreed.
The family has attended past Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivals and said it’s always well-run and even rival fans are friendly during festivities.
Kathrin Karpowski, who lives in northern Germany, was amazed that the crowd was not pushing and shoving for a better view as she’d expect from European football ― or…
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