History Making
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Volume 21 • No. 1 • Fall 2012 MAKING HISTORY The Newsletter of the Senator John Heinz History Center In association with the Smithsonian Institution Ready for Kickoff: Gridiron Glory Debuts in Pittsburgh Beginning Oct. 6, a new exhibition will open at the Senator John Heinz History Center IN THIS ISSUE as the most comprehensive traveling exhibit ever created on America’s favorite sport. Sports Artifact Spotlight: Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro • Items from the golden era of pro Pro Football’s Birth Certificate Football Hall of Fame will make its football, including Jim Brown’s Page 2 national debut at the History Center jersey, Vince Lombardi’s coaching this fall before embarking on a nationwide diagrams, Dick Butkus’ helmet, tour. The Pittsburgh exhibition is made Johnny Unitas’ jersey, possible by Highmark Blue Cross Tom Dempsey’s kicking shoe, and 2012 History Maker Award Blue Shield, the presenting sponsor. Tom Landry’s iconic coaching hat; Dinner Honorees • Highlights from the NFL’s Page 3 Created in partnership with the Pro greatest running backs, such as Football Hall of Fame, Gridiron Glory footballs from O.J. Simpson and includes more than 200 artifacts that Eric Dickerson, and jerseys from Totally Groovy: focus on the history of pro football, from its Tony Dorsett, Walter Payton, 1968 Exhibit Opens Feb. 1 humble beginnings in Pittsburgh to its rise Bo Jackson, and Barry Sanders; as one of the world’s most beloved sports. • Artifacts from record-breaking Page 4 quarterbacks, including John Elway’s Gridiron Glory recognizes the game’s jersey from the 1986 AFC pioneers from Knute Rockne and championship season, Joe Montana’s Presenting sponsor Fifth Annual Pittsburgh’s Jim Thorpe all the way to today’s stars Super Bowl XXIII MVP football, and Hidden Treasures Event such as Drew Brees and Peyton Manning Dan Marino’s footballs for career through unique artifacts from the Pro yardage and pass completions records. Page 5 Sponsors Football Hall of Fame collection. A Bob and Joan Peirce dozen interactive activities and videos Gridiron Glory will also include a History By The Numbers: from the vaults of NFL Films will ensure special exhibit section featuring items every visitor experiences the passion and from Hall of Fame Steelers, including: FY 2012 Annual Report pride of professional football. • Art Rooney’s elevator console from Pages 6-7 the “Immaculate Reception;” Many of the items featured in the • Terry Bradshaw’s uniform from Gridiron Glory exhibition have never Super Bowl XIV, on loan from For updated exhibit and Membership Cards to Feature been seen outside of the Hall of Fame. the Smithsonian Institution; event information, visit Artifact highlights include: • Franco Harris’ cleats from Historic Pittsburgh Designs www.heinzhistorycenter.org. Page 9 • The 1892 Allegheny Athletic his legendary career; Association accounting ledger • Joe Greene’s game-used helmet; featuring William “Pudge” • Lynn Swann’s 1978 Monday Tickets are now on sale through Heffelfinger, known as “Pro Night Football game ball; and www.showclix.com or by calling Football’s Birth Certificate;” • Jack Lambert’s jersey 1-888-71-TICKETS. Exhibit tickets are • Artifacts from pro football’s from his final season. $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (age 62+), pioneers, such as Knute Rockne, $10 for students and children (age 6-17), Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, Lace up your shoulder pads and and free for children (age 5 and under). Johnny “Blood” McNally, tighten your chinstrap. It’s football Tickets may also be purchased on-site Sammy Baugh, and Bobby Layne; season in Pittsburgh. at the History Center box office. SPORTS ARTIFACT SPOTLIGHT Professional Football’s Birth Certificate Here’s the Playbook: BY ANNE MADARASZ, CO-DIRECTOR, WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS MUSEUM Gridiron Glory Events As visitors enter Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame this fall, they will see a small ledger sheet encased in glass. The To complement the blockbuster Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition, ledger page records the $500 paid to William “Pudge” Heffelfinger the History Center has assembled a hard-hitting lineup to compete that day for the Allegheny Athletic Association (AAA) of public programs this fall. Be sure to visit the Events page at www.heinzhistorycenter.org for the most football team. Dated Nov. 12, 1892, the ledger documents the birth of up-to-date details on Gridiron Glory happenings: professional football here in Pittsburgh 120 years ago. Black Tie Tailgate Preview Party Well-established by the testifies to his $500 “performance Thurs., Oct. 4, 2012 • 6:30 – 10 p.m. 1890s, football flourished bonus.” Pro football, born in Put on your black (and gold) ties and join legendary at the region’s colleges and Pittsburgh that day, would Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famers to celebrate the universities, as well as at move west and blossom in Ohio world premiere of Gridiron Glory at the History Center. amateur athletic clubs. Fans, in the 1920s into the league Tickets are $250 for individuals and $400 for patrons. For drawn to the game by the we know now as the National more information, contact Mark Burnett at 412-454-6405 often-violent action and Football League. It took 40 or [email protected]. athleticism, had turned out years from Heffelfinger’s paid in the thousands for a contest performance until Pittsburgh Gridiron Glory Kickoff and Pep Rally between the rival AAA and had a professional franchise – Sat., Oct. 6, 2012 • 10 a.m. – Noon the Pittsburgh Athletic Club first known as the Pirates and Help the History Center kick off its newest exhibition, (PAC) in October 1892. When eventually as the Steelers – Gridiron Glory, with a special pep rally inside the that game ended in a 6-6 tie, founded in 1933 by Art Rooney History Center and a family-friendly tailgate outside a rematch was scheduled for Sr. In the following 80 years, the in the 12th and Smallman Street parking lot featuring Nov. 12. Snow kept attendance Steelers franchise would rewrite guest appearances by Steelers Hall of Famers, live down to 3,000 fans that day the record books, establishing an entertainment, tailgate food, and much more. and disagreements delayed unmatched legacy of football in the game’s start. But when the Pittsburgh. Steelers’ Hall of Fame Busts AAA finally took the field, three Pudge Heffelfinger Oct. 2012 ringers including Heffelfinger, a Visitors to the History Center’s View all 22 of the Steelers’ Hall of Fame busts, on loan former All-American at Yale and the premier newest exhibition, Gridiron Glory: from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio player of his era, joined the club’s regulars. The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which this October. Be the first to see the busts of Jack Butler opens on Oct. 6, will learn more about the history of and Dermontti Dawson, the newest Steelers inducted Heffelfinger scored the only touchdown during pro football from its birth in 1892 through today. into the Hall of Fame. the Nov. 12 game, giving the AAA a 4-0 win in a contest shortened by impending darkness. For more information on the Western Pennsylvania Members-Only Gridiron Glory Night Though the AAA never admitted to paying Sports Museum, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org Wed., Oct. 24, 2012 • 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Heffelfinger, the faded ink on the ledger page and click on the Sports Museum tab. This special tour will take members behind the scenes of the Gridiron Glory exhibit. For more information, please contact Shirley Gaudette at 412-454-6436 or [email protected]. Art of the Steelers Features NFL PLAY 60 Training Camp Local Gridiron Heroes Sun., Nov. 11, 2012 • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. In conjunction with the Gridiron Glory: The Best of Bring the family to the History Center for a day of fun the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition this fall, the football activities. Test your football skills with drills History Center will open a complementary art exhibit developed by NFL PLAY 60 to help lead an active and featuring some of Pittsburgh’s greatest athletes. healthy lifestyle. Take a crash course in the Football 101 session, taught by local coaches. Learn about new trends in Located in the 4th floor Community Gallery,Art of the sports nutrition, safety, and fitness from local athletes. Then Steelers will include more than 50 original paintings immerse yourself in the 120-year history of professional and drawings of Steeler legends from the collection of football with docent-led tours of Gridiron Glory. Art Rooney Jr., who worked closely with award winning artists Merv Corning, Denny Karchner, and Ron Pittsburgh Steelers’ 80th Season Celebration Mahoney to create this collection that recalls the men that helped to make Pittsburgh the City of Champions. Sat., Nov. 17, 2012 Celebrate the Pittsburgh Steelers' 80th season at a special On loan from the sports art collection of Art Rooney Jr., Art of the Steelers will open in partnership with public event featuring Steelers alumni at the History Center. the works capture Hall of Famers such as “The Chief” Art the exhibit on Oct. 6. For additional Rooney Sr., Joe Greene, John Stallworth (shown above), Gridiron Glory information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org. Steelers’ Six Super Bowl Trophies Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and more. Nov. 23-29, 2012 Wear your black and gold the week following Thanksgiving and take your photo alongside the Lombardi trophies from all six of the Steelers’ Super Bowl victories. Third Annual Bocce Tournament Raises Nearly An Immaculate Reception: The 40th $92,000 for Italian American Endowed Fund Anniversary of the NFL’s Greatest Play The 2012 Bocce Tournament and Festival attracted Sat., Dec.