Union Station Kansas City – in partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs -- announces that Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fameexhibition will open on May 23, 2015.
Gridiron Glory is the largest and most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created on America's favorite sport and will include more than 10,000 square feet of the most iconic pro football artifacts of all time. In total, more than 200 football artifacts, photos and rare documents from the Pro Football Hall of Fame collection will be on display . . . some for the very first time.
Gridiron Glory tackles everything from football's cultural impact to the science behind the game. Guests will able to view NFL Films video footage and learn about the sports' pioneers. This interactive multimedia experience includes rare documents and spectacular NFL Film footage. Additionally, a special gallery of 4,000 square feet – including unique artifacts -- will be created to pay tribute to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Exhibition Highlights Include:
- The Great Moments – A stirring video experience by NFL Films
- The Great Players – American legends, such as Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Joe Namath, Lynn Swann, and many Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famers
- The Dynasties – The teams too tough to beat from every era
- The Road to Equality – The inspirational story of the rise of black athletes
- The Pioneers – A homage to the early days of football
- The Science of Football – An interactive exploration of science, technology and innovation at work through football
- Records are Made to be Broken – Priceless artifacts recounting many milestone events
- Football as a Way of Life – How the sport has impacted the American way of life
- Football in the Media – Its impact on American pop culture as seen through TV, film and other media
- Champions – A look at championship games and teams through mementos
Interactive Elements Include:
- Measure Up to the Pros - Compare your body size to that of NFL players
- Try It On: Wear reproductions of vintage uniforms and protective gear and try on some of today's lightweight and durable equipment
- You make the Call: Step into the referee's shoes in an authentic NFL instant replay booth and make the tough call
- Kick the Field Goal and Make the Game-Winning Pass
- And more . . .
"Kansas City is a huge sports town and NFL football stirs strong memories and passions," George Guastello, Union Station president and CEO, said. "Being selected as a host for this major exhibition brings something really special to our hometown, with Union Station again being the place where Kansas City celebrates. This time, we'll be celebrating the best of the NFL, including the historic role our Kansas City Chiefs have played in the epic Pro Football story. The powerful 'Hometown Heroes' portion of the exhibition will be a tremendous salute to our hometown Chiefs. This will be a summer to remember for Kansas City and the entire region. This exhibition is truly remarkable and historic. I encourage fans to get tickets early!"
"On the heels of the announcement that Will Shields will become the 11th member of the Chiefs enshrined in Canton, we are excited that the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be bringing its Gridiron Glory exhibit to Kansas City's Union Station this summer," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "We know that Kansas City is passionate about football, and we know that Union Station is an iconic part of our community. The ability to see pieces of professional football history here at Union Station without having to leave the Chiefs Kingdom is a unique opportunity for football fans and all sports fans alike."
Union Station announces their newest exhibit Gridiron Glory with Bobby Bell and Jan Stenerud. The exhibet opens May 23, 2015.
Throughout the artifact filled exhibition visitors will read storylines focusing on diverse subjects such as the societal impact of Football, to the science behind the game.
Inspirational stories of the game's pioneers, great players, coaches and circumstances of play will unfold.
Visitors will be able to slip on a helmet rigged up with coach-to-player communication; test their vertical leaping ability or step inside the Champions Theater and see hard-hitting new materials from NFL Films, including the eye-popping feature Fantastic Finishes.
Gridiron Glory opens May 23 and runs through September 6, 2015. Tickets will be available to the public starting March 13, 2015. General admission adult tickets are $14.95 ($9.95 for Union Station Members). General admission child tickets are $11.95 ($9.95 for Union Station members). Anytime tickets – which allow guests maximum flexibility -- will be available for $16.95.
Union Station Members and Chiefs Season Ticket Members have a pre-sale ticket purchase window from February 26 through March 12. A special access code is required.
For more details – including hours of exhibition and options for group events and buyouts, visit unionstation.org/football.
About Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
Union Station Kansas City is a historical landmark and civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. The organization, driven by its mission of science, history education and entertainment, is home to Kansas City's Science Center; the popular Model Railroad Experience; the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre, H&R Block City Stage featuring live theater, and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. Union Station is also home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses and regularly hosts world-class traveling exhibitions and community events. Visit www.unionstation.org for details.
About the Kansas City Chiefs
Founded as the Dallas Texans in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) by sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the franchise moved to Kansas City in 1963 and became known as the Kansas City Chiefs and currently competes in the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League (NFL). Under the guidance of the Hunt Family and the leadership of Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, the mission of the Kansas City Chiefs is to: Win with Character, Unite our Community, Inspire our Fans and Honor Tradition.
About the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's mission is to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to professional football; to preserve professional football's historic documents and artifacts; to educate the public regarding the origin; development and growth of professional football as an important part of the American culture; and to promote the positive values of the sport. For more information, please visit profootballhof.com; @ProFootballHof on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
