In two days, the NFL’s 104th season starts up early with an annual tradition in August: The Hall of Fame Game. The New York Jets take on the Cleveland Browns in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 3. But what is the history behind the game, and when did it start?
What Is the NFL Hall of Fame Game?
The exhibition contest not only helps kick off the upcoming season but is a part of the ceremonial festivities involving the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The inductees of the year’s Hall of Fame class are honored before the contest. The game takes place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton each season.
What Is the History Behind the Game and Matchups?
The game first began in 1962. But in 1963, the contest got played after the HOF building was officially completed.
Starting in 1970, the contest got moved to August to help kick off the season. From 1971 to 2010, the contest typically pit an AFC representative against an NFC team. However, in 2011, each squad has been tied to a player being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Such is the case for the 2023 opponents. The Jets will induct Joe Klecko and Darrelle Revis, while the Browns will be represented by Joe Thomas in this year’s HOF class.
Is the Hall of Fame Game Played Every Year?
There were four games that were exempt from playing in the Hall of Fame’s history. Here are the four seasons there was no game and the reasons behind it:
- 1966: No contest due to the AFL and NFL merger.
- 2011: The game was canceled due to the league’s lockout.
- 2016: Subpar field conditions from a severe storm system wiped out the game, as Canton received torrential rainfall and wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour during that weekend.
- 2020: The threat of COVID-19 forced the league to cancel the game while also eliminating the entire preseason.
Theoretically speaking, the game itself turns 61 years old. But again, the Hall of Fame Game has been played 57 times in league history.
Last year’s contest between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, however, was delayed due to severe conditions. Both teams eventually squared off, and the Raiders rolled to the 27-11 victory.
Who Has Played in the Most Hall of Fame Games, and Who Owns the Most Wins?
While obviously not on the level of the Super Bowl, two franchises with 11 Vince Lombardi Trophies between them have played in the most HOF Games.
The Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers have played in this contest seven times. Both teams were also supposed to be in the 2020 matchup before it was canned. The latter team is the only one to have played in the HOF Game in back-to-back seasons (1963 and 1964).
The Steelers own four victories in the Hall of Fame Game, winning the 1963, 1983, 2007, and 2021 contests, the latter making up for the 2020 contest vs. Dallas. Pittsburgh isn’t the only one with a quartet of HOF game wins, though. The Steelers share that title with two other franchises.
The Chicago Bears are another that owns four victories in the Canton contest (1968, 1977, 1990, and 2005). The Raiders are the last team with four wins in Canton (1979 as Oakland, 1993 as Los Angeles, 2006 as Oakland, and last year as Las Vegas).