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Columbus Destroyers Announce Pro Football Hall Of Fame Night Game Vs. Philadelphia Soul

April 16, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, will host the Philadelphia Soul on Monday, April 23 and "Pro Football Hall of Fame Night" on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. as the game will be televised nationally as part of Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday on ESPN2 with personalities Trey Wingo and Mark Schlereth.

This special night, in which all fans in attendance receive a Russell "Red Out" t-shirt, will feature a display of over 30 items from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and appearances by two members of the shrine, located in Canton: Ohio State and Cleveland Browns legend Bill Willis and former Cincinnati Bengals great Anthony Munoz. Both Willis and Munoz will take part in the ceremonial coin toss during pre-game festivities.

A Columbus native, Willis played on Ohio State's 1942 national championship team and earned All-America honors in 1944 before starring for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference and later the NFL from 1946-53. He was honored as a three-time All-AAFC selection, was All-NFL from 1950-53 and made a touchdown-saving tackle to preserve the Browns 1950 NFL championship. Willis will meet with fans in the Destroyers Quarterback Club prior to the game.

Munoz was an 11-time Pro Bowler during his Bengals career, which spanned 1980-92. A two-time All-America at the University of Southern California, he was the NFL's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1981, 1987 and 1988 and was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. Munoz will be available for autographs from 6:30-7:20 p.m. for the first 200 fans.

The Hall of Fame display features a collection of over 30 items for display including memorabilia from the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ohio State Buckeyes who played in the NFL and the Columbus Panhandles. For a full list of displays and their contents please refer to page 2.

The Columbus Panhandles were the first professional football team in Columbus and played from 1901-1922. The team was led by six brothers from the Nesser family. From 1907-1925 they were the most famous football family in the United States. The Panhandles are charter members of the NFL because of their membership in the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The APFA changed it's name to the National Football League in 1922. Columbus native Joseph F. Carr led the Panhandles. Carr later became the president of the NFL, leading the league from offices at 16 E. Broad Street in Columbus from 1921 to 1939. Under Carr the NFL drafted a constitution and by-laws, gave team's territorial rights, restricted player movements, developed membership criteria for the franchises and issued standings for the first time. In recognition of his role in the league's success, Carr was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Columbus native Chris Willis, author of The Columbus Panhandles: A Complete History of Pro Football's Toughest Team, 1900-1922, will be on hand to sign copies of his book from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Blueline at Nationwide Arena.

Sportsradio 1460AM "The Fan" will host "The Big Show" with Kirk Herbstreit and Bruce Hooley live from the Bud Light Arena Pub at Nationwide Arena from 4-7 p.m.

WE BELIEVE that you can never get enough football. Single game tickets for the 2007 season are now available starting at $12 by calling (877) COLS-AFL or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

Columbus Destroyers/Pro Football Hall of Fame Night Exhibit List

Cleveland Browns Display (Located on Pepsi Parkway)

Brian Sipe 1980 jersey

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Otto Graham's 1950s jersey

Jim Brown 1950s jersey

Lou Groza 1950s helmet

Football signed by the 1964 NFL Champion Cleveland Browns

1964 NFL Championship Game Program, Baltimore Colts vs. Cleveland Browns

Football punted by Chris Gardocki to set the NFL record for consecutive punts without a block

Pittsburgh Steelers Display (Located on Pepsi Parkway)

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ernie Stautner's 1960s jersey

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Mel Blount's 1983 jersey

Rod Woodson Pittsburgh Steelers throwbacks jersey, 1994

Footballs commemorating all five Steelers Super Bowl victories (IX, X, XIII, XIV and XL)

Pro Football Hall of Fame member "Mean" Joe Greene's 1981 helmet (last season)

Cincinnati Bengals Display (Located on Pepsi Parkway)

Ken Riley's jersey from 1983

Boomer Esiason NFL MVP jersey from 1988

Ken Anderson's jersey

Cincinnati Bengals throwbacks 1970s style "BENGALS" helmet

Corey Dillon's shoes worn on October 22, 2000 when he rushed for what was then record 278 yards in a single game

Game used football from the second highest scoring game in NFL history on 11/28/04, Cincinnati Bengals 58, Cleveland Browns 48, signed by the entire Bengals team.

Paul Brown hat

Ohio State Players in the Pros Display (Located on Pepsi Parkway)

Archie Griffin's Cincinnati Bengals jersey, 1970s

Enshrinement murals from all six Pro Football Hall of Fame members from Ohio State University: Sid Gillman, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, Jim Parker, Paul Warfield and Bill Willis

Jim Parker's Baltimore Colts jersey, 1966

Chris Carter's helmet worn in 1994 when he set was then a record for most receptions in a single season at 122

Lou Groza's Cleveland Browns shoes, 1950s

Eddie George's Tennessee Oilers pants, 1998 (In 1999 Tennessee became the Titans)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Night display (Located on the Bud Light Terrace)

Anthony Munoz's Cincinnati Bengals jersey and helmet from his final year with the team in 1992

Bill Willis' and Marion Motley's 1946 Cleveland Browns contracts reintegrating professional football

Postcard of Al Nesser former Columbus Panhandles player

Photo of all Nesser brothers together

Original photo of the 1915-1916 Panhandles

John Nesser's 1899 and 1901 athletic medals

1911 game used Panhandles football

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