[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 199 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S7025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              100 SEASONS OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
100th season of the National Football League.
  Ohio has a rich football history. In 1920, 10 teams gathered in 
Canton, OH, to form the American Professional Football Association. Of 
those original 10 teams, Cleveland, Canton, Akron, Columbus, and Dayton 
were all in the lineup. Further, the Dayton Triangles hosted the first-
ever NFL game in 1921 against the Columbus Panhandles.
  Home to the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, Ohio has 
continued to embrace the legacy and tradition of America's game. The 
birthplace of the NFL, Canton's Pro Football Hall of Fame sees 225,000 
visitors annually. Additionally, Ohio natives Don Shula, Chuck Noll, 
Paul Brown, Roger Staubach, and Cris Carter are among the 326 players 
who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Further, Cleveland looks 
forward to hosting the 2021 NFL draft, and I was proud to advocate for 
this selection last year.
  Since its first season in 1920, the NFL has grown from humble 
beginnings to a national pastime known as America's game. Represented 
in 22 States by 32 teams, the NFL has united communities across the 
Nation through live games and televised events. In fact, the Super Bowl 
has become the single most-watched annual television event in the 
United States.
  I commend the NFL for their continued philanthropic and volunteer 
efforts. Through working to honor veterans, promote cancer awareness, 
and encourage healthy lifestyles, the league has embraced community 
through sport. I applaud the commitment of the NFL, its staff, and all 
who were involved in reaching this milestone and making the first 100 
seasons of the NFL a success.

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