Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker has reached out to the NFL about hosting an NFL regular-season game in 2020.
Baker even has a date in mind, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 — the 100th anniversary of the NFL's founding in a Canton, Ohio car dealership.
Beyond that, Baker even has the two perfect teams in mind, the Bears and the Cardinals, the two remaining original NFL franchises from the league's first season.
Baker told Cantonrep.com he met with league officials, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, in New York last Friday about his idea.
“There’s no guarantee (of it happening), but I think it will be a legitimate consideration," Baker said.
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Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium already hosts the NFL preseason opener each year, the Hall of Fame Game. The league is already planning special events for the league's centennial celebration, and Baker is optimistic about Canton's chances of landing the game.
“There’s a lot of discussions going on and the really good news is the Hall of Fame is right in the heart of it, and Canton is in the heart of it," Baker said. "I don’t know where it’s going to land, but I know it’s going to be very special.”
But getting a Bears-Cardinals matchup might be tough, Baker admits.
“Unfortunately, they (the Bears and Cardinals) are not scheduled to play that year, so it would be a special accommodation," Baker said. “And it may also be one of those situations where someone is having stadium issues that year, like if the Raiders are late (moving to Las Vegas) or something like that.
“I believe it’s happening, I believe we’re part of it and I believe we’re on our way."