HOF Stadium Dedicated With Statue Of Saints' Tom Benson

Tom Benson HOF Stadium yesterday was "dedicated" with a statue of Saints Owner Tom Benson before opening to the public. The venue is "one of nine elements planned" for the more than $700M Johnson Controls HOF Village development. Pro Football HOF President David Baker said, "This is a vision. This is just the beginning." As part of the ceremony, the "gold-and-white logo for the Village was unveiled" (Canton REPOSITORY, 8/4). Last night's HOF game between the Cardinals and Cowboys christened the stadium with a crowd of 21,126 fans, and the game was a "win for Canton" and the $137M stadium, "especially after last year's contest was cancelled because of poor field conditions" (Canton REPOSITORY, 8/4). Benson spoke briefly during the stadium's dedication saying, "I always thought a lot of Canton" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 8/4). 

Baker last night "got it right." If HOF Stadium is "any indication," the HOF Village project "will be worth the wait" (Canton REPOSITORY, 8/4). The pregame and halftime shows "didn’t disappoint the crowd" either (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 8/4). NBC’s Al Michaels said the HOF will soon be the "ultimate football destination.” Michaels: "They’ve done a heck of a job” ("Cardinals-Cowboys," NBC, 8/3). The AKRON BEACON JOURNAL goes with the header, "Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium Opens To Rave Reviews."

Meanwhile, Tony Romo and Jim Nantz "went through a practice run for CBS, calling the game from the makeshift booth that resembled a tall, box deer stand." NBC's Al Michaels said of Romo, "The only thing I said to Tony when I saw him last week ... 'Slow it down a bit'" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/4).