A trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is always a worthwhile endeavor for San Francisco 49ers fans, due in large part to how well the team is represented in the museum. Among the magnificent collection of football history on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame are artifacts from a number of 49ers players of yesteryear, as well as a few appearances from players currently on the roster.
This year is as good of a year as any for 49ers fans to visit, as one of the team's greatest defensive players, defensive lineman Bryant Young, will become enshrined in the Hall along with seven others when induction ceremonies take place on August 6. So, in addition to the 49ers artifacts permanently on display in the Hall of Fame's collection, Young is separately featured in the museum in multiple places as one of this year's inductees.
Recently we took a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and decided to give 49ers Webzone readers a look at some of what's inside. This is only a sampling of what can be found in there -- there's more 49ers-related material and a great deal more material and artifacts that any football fan will love, ranging from the documents that mark the birth of the NFL to Tom Brady's draft card to Andy Reid's face mask that he wore to protect himself from COVID-19 during the 2020 season. But let's take a look at some particular sights 49ers fans should enjoy from this trip to the Hall.
The Class of 2022
Joining Young in this year's class are offensive lineman Tony Boselli, wide receiver Cliff Branch, safety LeRoy Butler, official Art McNally, linebacker Sam Mills, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, and coach Dick Vermeil. Here's the banner that bears their faces on the outside wall of the building.
A Nick Bosa and Trey Lance sighting
Bosa and Lance are among the many NFL players whose jerseys are on sale in the Hall's gift store. Price - $130. Hopefully each player will be a permanent part of the museum someday.
Young's special T-Shirt
Each 2022 inductee has a commemorative T-Shirt for sale, like this one.
49ers Artifacts
This is the jersey worn by Jerry Rice when he broke the record for most touchdowns (22) in a single NFL season.
Here's an autographed football by Joe Montana commemorating the franchise's Super Bowl XVI win.
This Montana jersey is part of a Super Bowl-themed display. The jersey was worn by Montana in Super Bowl XIX.
The above jersey is autographed by Steve Young and was worn during his 1992 MVP season. It hangs near two particularly awesome artifacts -- the chunk of turf on which Franco Harris made his famous "Immaculate Reception" and a play diagram drawn by Vince Lombardi.
Deebo Samuel currently has shoes and a game-worn jersey on display in the Hall of Fame. The shoes and jersey were worn in the 49ers' 30-10 win over the Jaguars last season when he became the first NFL wide receiver to score at least three rushing touchdowns in two of his first three seasons. Right next to those items is the jersey worn by Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle when he set a new record for most single-season receptions by a rookie (104) in 2021.
The Niners are on display in a section dedicated to dynasties. Fred Dean's jersey can be seen on the right.
The five trophies in this picture signify the five titles won by Charles Haley as a member of the 49ers and Cowboys. The helmet on display was worn by Jerry Rice.
The Bust Room
The famous player gallery a.k.a. "The Bust Room" was crowded on this day, making it hard to get good photos of all the 49ers-related goodies in there. But here are a few of note.
Above is where Bryant Young's bust will be on display in a matter of weeks. Young's bust will be in the lower right corner in the 2022 section.
Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
The GOAT himself, Jerry Rice
Steve Young
2000 was a great year for 49ers Hall of Famers, with Ronnie Lott (top), Dave Wilcox (right) and Joe Montana (bottom) all being inducted.
Here's a close-up of Lott
And a close-up of Montana
Charles Haley
And Bill Walsh
Dear Canton
Each 2022 inductee has a letter to Canton posted in the Hall of Fame. Here is a look at Young's letter.
Ringz
One of the most entertaining parts of the Hall is the display of each Super Bowl Ring. Here's a look at where the 49ers are represented.
Bryant Young's locker
Each 2022 inductee has a locker on display that contains items chosen to represent their career. Below is a look at Bryant Young's locker, which includes a photo of the gruesome leg injury he overcame to make the Hall of Fame along with select pieces of memorabilia.
We hope you enjoyed this look at the Pro Football Hall of Fame from a 49ers point of view. There will undoubtedly be more players to eventually the already-strong contingent of Hall of Fame 49ers in the future, and we're looking forward to seeing how they're represented in the Hall when that happens.