Giant bobbleheads & more featured at new Cleveland Browns exhibit at Pro Football HOF

CANTON ‒ Visitors to a new special exhibit at the Pro Football Hall of Fame have the chance to stand toe-to-toe with the most famous toe in Cleveland football history, Lou Groza.

He is among six Cleveland Browns represented as 6-foot bobbleheads in the temporary display entitled "A Legacy Unleashed," which honors the history of the Cleveland Browns.

The others, on loan from the team and a private Youngstown collector, depict Otto Graham, Bernie Kosar, Frank Minnifield, Joe Thomas and Hanford Dixon.

The exhibit honors the history of the Browns, highlighting the franchise’s eight championships, including a celebration of the anniversaries of the 1954 and 1964 NFL titles; how Paul Brown’s influence is felt in professional football today; and Marion Motley’sand Bill Willis’ reintegration of football as part of “The Forgotten Four."

Player appearances on each of the six weekends in the exhibit’s run will highlight the programming schedule.

HOF exhibit celebrates nearly 80 years of Browns history

The exhibit has a lot to offer viewers, said Rich Desrosiers, HOF chief communications and content officer.

“They can celebrate nearly 80 years of Browns history, celebrate the fact that the Browns were the first true dynasty of professional football with seven championships in a 10-year span from their founding in 1946, 18 Hall of Famers, some of the game’s greatest players and coaches," he said.

He said the team also has a "great history" of off-the-field accomplishments in social justice and racial equality.

"The Browns were one of the first two teams to reintegrate football in 1946 and we're going to celebrate that history," Desrosiers said.

"And that includes Canton's own Marion Motley, who was part of not only that winning history on the field, but the reintegration history of the game and the civil rights and social justice movement into the '50s and '60s that Jim Brown really helped to lead," Desrosiers added. "All of that will be things that this exhibit celebrates."

First one-team show featured Steelers

This is the hall's first exhibit devoted exclusively to the Browns. Earlier this year, there was an exhibit focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the 50th anniversary of their first Super Bowl.

Unusual items on display include lapel pins and tie clasps that Browns received when they won their championships, along with contracts Motley and Willis received.

Desrosiers said the 6-foot bobbleheads are a first for the hall, made possible by loans from the Browns and memorabilia collector Ray Prisby of Youngstown, who bought the Thomas, Groza and Graham figures two years ago at a Browns' locker room auction. He passed on the chance to buy Myles Garrett, who would have cost as much as the three he did purchase.

Giant Browns bobbleheads make their home with Youngstown man

Prisby said the characters usually stand in his living room, where they can serve as the backdrop for video chats, but not with his granddaughter.

"She won't talk to me if those are behind me," he said.

He urged prospective guests to take in the six-week special exhibit.

"It's a really nice event going on down here," Prisby said.

Browns mascots Chomps, Brownie and Goldy appearing

Cleveland Browns mascot Chomps smashed a guitar to open the exhibit on Friday, replicating way the team opens its games at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Brownie the Elf, another team mascot, along with the Hall’s mascot, Goldy the G.O.A.T., also will make appearances while the exhibit is open.

"A Legacy Unleashed," presented by SERVPRO, is scheduled to run through April 21.

More information is available on the Pro Football Hall of Fame website at: Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit celebrates history of Browns | Pro Football Hall of Fame (profootballhof.com).

Photos: A look at Pro Football Hall of Famer and Canton McKinley legend Marion Motley

Just announced: Virginia State to play Benedict College in 2024 Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic Sept. 1

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cleveland Browns focus of special exhibit at Pro Football Hall of Fame