Football that traveled to Space now in Canton

 The football that accompanied Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL STRAHAN on his Dec. 11, 2021 journey to space via Blue Origin’s New Shepard-19 flight has officially arrived in Canton.

The football has been placed on display in the Museum’s Pro Football Today Gallery.

“Flying to space with Blue Origin was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget,” stated Strahan. “It’s an honor to have this special football on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where fans of space travel and the game of football can share in the journey with me.”

While the Hall’s Collection includes several artifacts that have been to space, this is the first football taken to space by a Hall of Famer to be donated to the Hall.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is thrilled to have the opportunity to preserve and display for fans the football graciously donated by Blue Origin and Michael Strahan,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said. “Constance Schwartz-Morini, Michael’s longtime business partner and the CEO of SMAC Entertainment, called me with this creative idea, and we are proud to be part of commemorating the historic moment of Michael being the first Pro Football Hall of Famer to go to space.”

Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin’s mission is to enable a future of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Strahan was part of Blue Origin’s third human flight, and the first with six astronauts on board – including Laura Shepard Churchley, Evan Dick, Dylan Taylor, Cameron Bess and Lane Bess.

“It was an honor to fly Michael Strahan to space on New Shepard,” said Michael Edmonds, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Sales, Blue Origin. “We’re thrilled this space-flown football will be displayed in the Hall of Fame to inspire current and future generations to access space for the benefit of Earth.”