Colts Fans in Canton: Our Weekend at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
We traveled to Canton to see Peyton Manning inducted into the Hall of Fame. From parades and small-town charm to a surprise friendship over dinner, it was a weekend full of football, memories, and moments we’ll never forget.
We’ve been Colts fans since before Peyton Manning wore the horseshoe, but we had always said that when he was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame, we would be there. And so, in 2021, we kept our promise to each other. What followed was a weekend of football nostalgia, small-town charm, and an unexpected friendship that still makes us smile years later.test
The Colts, Peyton, and Us
We’ve been Colts season ticket holders since our first year of dating, the season before the Colts drafted Peyton Manning. I'll never forget the 3-13 season that led to getting the first overall pick, the debates between picking Peyton or Ryan Leaf (who?), another 3-13 record for Peyton's rookie season, then a magical turnaround to 13-3, and so many great years to follow... So many records broken, and most importantly, a Super Bowl win for the Indianapolis Colts.
We were disappointed to see "Our Quarterback" go on to Denver, but happy that he saw success with another Super Bowl win. Our Hall of Fame weekend seemed like the perfect way to close the loop on a journey we had been part of from the Indianapolis beginning.
A Hall of Fame Two-for-One
Because of COVID, the Class of 2020 never had their moment the year prior, so both classes, 2020 and 2021, were honored together. That worked out great for us, because another Colts legend, Edgerrin James, was in the 2020 class.
His formal ceremony was a different night, but we still got to see him in the parade on Saturday. He rolled through town with Jim Irsay by his side, waving and smiling like a man who knew how much he was loved.
Small-Town Hospitality
We stayed in a basement Airbnb apartment inside a family home. Nothing fancy, but it was clean, private, and had everything we needed. I’m sure that family does quite well every August when football fans flood Canton.
Speaking of the town, the people of Canton were just… nice. From the restaurant staff to volunteers at the events, everyone was warm, helpful, and genuinely glad to have visitors back after the pandemic pause.
The Parade Was the Highlight
The Saturday morning parade was the unexpected highlight of the weekend. It was full of personality and pride, inductees, their families, former Hall of Famers, and some very interesting vehicles. There was so much energy in the crowd, and a sea of orange, blue, and navy.
It felt like every Peyton fan in the country made the trip: Broncos fans, Colts fans, and plenty of Tennessee orange.
The VIP Experience... Meh
We splurged on the Hall of Fame’s VIP package. If I’m honest, I wouldn’t do it again. It was expensive, and while it included some exclusive dinners and seating, the value just wasn’t there. You can have a great experience at the Hall without going that route.
Still, one of those VIP dinners did lead to something special...
A Random Dinner Table, A New Friendship, And Our Next Stadium
At one of the events, we were seated next to a couple from Tennessee decked out in their Peyton Vols gear. We got to talking, and it turns out they were also season ticket holders, but for the Titans.
The conversation wandered to our shared love of stadium experiences, and before dessert was served, we had traded tickets. Two of our Colts tickets for a game in Indy, two of theirs for the Colts-Titans game in Nashville. We tailgated together. We sat together.
And we’re still Facebook friends four years later. That’s what I love about these kinds of trips, you show up for the football and leave with memories that had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
If You’re Thinking About Going
Would I recommend Hall of Fame weekend in Canton? Absolutely. Especially if someone you’ve followed closely is being honored. The town does a fantastic job celebrating the game and the people who’ve made it great.
Just maybe skip the VIP package and spend that extra cash on good seats, local food, or an extra night in town.
Because like most of life, the best moments aren’t behind velvet ropes, they’re in the stands, on the sidewalks, and at random dinner tables where strangers become friends.