FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 09/28/2018

WEEKLY “NOTES & NUGGETS” FROM THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL FROM DREW BREES’ RECORD-SETTING PASS PLACED ON EXHIBIT; ROBERT BRAZILE CONNECTS WITH STUDENTS; AND NEW “UNDERCOVER BUST”

CANTON, OHIO – The following is a sampling of events, happenings and notes that highlight how the Pro Football Hall of Fame serves its important mission to “Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE!”

HALL OF FAME RING OF EXCELLENCE The Hall of Fame Productions and Social Media teams provided fans with a look into the Ring of Excellence ceremony in Baltimore last Sunday. Class of 2018 enshrinee was honored at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Stadium.

The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence, created by Kay® Jewelers, is one of three symbols (along with the Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and the Bronzed Bust) that represent the elite status of being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

JERRY KRAMER and received their Ring of Excellence in Week 2. The remaining schedule for the Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence ceremonies for the Class of 2018: ROBERT BRAZILE (Week 6); (Week 7); (Week 9); (Week 11); and (Week 12).

NEW ARTIFACTS The Pro Football Hall of Fame is home to the world’s largest collection on pro football in the world. Each year, the collection grows as artifacts from milestone moments from the current NFL season arrive in Canton. Many of these artifacts are already on display in the Hall’s Pro Football Today Gallery:

• The football thrown by Drew Brees for his record-setting 6,301st career completion arrived at the Hall of Fame just two days after the New Orleans Saints quarterback established the milestone against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. Hall of Fame’s Collections Curator Jason Aikens (below) unveiled the artifact to the Hall’s followers on Twitter (@ProFootballHOF).

The ball was then placed on exhibit in the museum’s Pro Football Today Gallery.

Watch Video: https://twitter.com/profootballhof/status/1044608208210481153?s=12

The Hall of Fame’s collection also includes a number of other artifacts from Brees’ storied career. A sampling includes his: • 2001 NFL Draft card • Jersey worn on Dec. 28, 2008 when he became second player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season • Jersey worn in Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV victory • Jersey, pants, cleats socks worn on Dec. 26, 2011 when he set the NFL single season record for passing yards (5,087) • Football thrown to set NFL record for throwing a TD in 48 consecutive games

HEART OF A HALL OF FAMER The Hall of Fame Youth & Education Program’s Heart of a Hall of Famer series provides students with the opportunity to learn first-hand what it took beyond athletic ability for legendary Heroes of the Game to achieve success on and off the field. The program focuses on the Hall of Fame’s core values of commitment, integrity, courage, respect and excellence.

This past Tuesday, Class of 2018 enshrinee ROBERT BRAZILE, a former teacher middle school special education teacher, connected via videoconferencing with students from Persell Middle School (Jamestown, N.Y), Roxboro Road Middle School (Syracuse, N.Y.); Agnor-Hurt Elementary School (Charlottesville, Va.) and Newark (Ohio) Digital.

ROBERT BRAZILE INSPIRES STUDENTS: “I’m going to give you my motto for 28 years that I took to the Mobile (Ala.) public school system. I believe in the three B’s plus one. I wanted my kids to first of all be on time, number 2 be prepared, number 3 be respectful. If you brought that into my classroom every day you get the other B which is Mr. Brazile.”

UNDERCOVER BUST The Hall of Fame Productions team produced the fourth installment of “Undercover Bust” this week at the Hall. The concept of the video series is simple. A Pro Football Hall of Famer is disguised as a museum volunteer or member of the Hall’s staff. The football icon greets guests visiting the Hall of Fame.

The latest episode features Hall of Famer dressed up as a museum volunteer with a special appearance by fellow Hall of Famer ROBERT BRAZILE.

The clip can be viewed on the Hall’s website at http://www.profootballhof.com/undercover-bust-will- shields-robert-brazile/.

TASTE OF THE HALL OF FAME Four Hall of Famers – ROBERT BRAZILE, WALTER JONES, BRUCE MATTHEWS and WILL SHIELDS – were special guests at the “Taste of the Hall of Fame” held on Tuesday night (Sept. 25) at the Hall of Fame and the plaza of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. A record amount of money was raised for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank by more than 650 guests on hand for the annual fundraiser that will result in providing nearly one million meals to those in need.

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CONTACTS: Pete Fierle, Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President of Communications [email protected]; 330-588-3622

Rachel Gutting, Communications Coordinator [email protected]; 330-588-3671

ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the , the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum’s commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” that chronicles America’s most popular sport. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, also voted Top Tourist Attraction in Ohio, was named the Best Attraction for Sports Fans in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest.

Construction on Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, an $889 million development project that includes 10 main components, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame’s campus.

@ProFootballHOF