where is the nfl hall of fame located and when was the building opened?
Canton
contradiction
 One of the primary impediments in an AAFC @-@ NFL merger was the supposed violation of " territorial rights " claimed by Marshall . Eventually , Bell gathered enough support to effectuate a compromise with the AAFC . In late 1949 , the leagues merged , and Bell would stay on as commissioner with his contract extended from five to ten years as three AAFC teams ( the Cleveland Browns , San Francisco 49ers , and Baltimore Colts ) were subsumed . Seeking to capitalize on the publicity of the residual rivalry , he utilized " exquisite dramatic " and business sense and allocated the 1950 opening game to a contest between the 1949 champion Eagles versus the perennial AAFC champion Browns . Feeling financially secure after the merger , he purchased his first home for himself and his family in Narberth , Pennsylvania . 

contradiction
 Initial work on the land began on January 1 , 1909 , but ground was not officially broken until March 1 . Nicola Building Company built the stadium in 122 days and play began less than four months after ground was broken , on June 30 . Though the scoreboard was operated by hand , the ballpark featured multiple innovations such as ramps and elevators to assist fan movement throughout the park , a room for the umpires , and a visiting team clubhouse similar to the Pirates ' . The facade of the stadium featured " buff @-@ colored terra cotta " spelling out " PAC " for the Pittsburgh Athletic Company . The light green steelwork contrasted with the red slate of the roof . Some members of the press urged Dreyfuss to name the stadium after himself . However , the owner decided on Forbes Field , in honor of General John Forbes , who captured Fort Duquesne from the French in 1758 and rebuilt a new " Fort Pitt " at the site . In 1935 , after Dreyfuss ' death , there was renewed media interest in renaming the stadium " Dreyfuss Field " . His widow , Florence , resisted . However , a monument to Dreyfuss was placed in center field just in front of the wall . 

entailment
 The club launched its official Hall of Fame in 2008 , with seven inaugural members . A further six players were inducted in January 2009 and seven more in January 2010 . Since then six players have been inducted each year . 

neutral
 The Browns are only one of 12 NFL franchises to predate the 1960 launch of the American Football League , and only one of three such teams in the AFC . 

entailment
 The Panthers played their first season at Memorial Stadium in Clemson , South Carolina , as their facility in uptown Charlotte was still under construction . Ericsson Stadium , called Bank of America Stadium since 2004 , opened in the summer of 1996 . Bank of America Stadium is owned entirely by the Panthers , making them one of the few teams in the NFL to own the facility they play in . The stadium was specially designed by HOK Sports Facilities Group for football . It also serves as the headquarters and administrative office of the Panthers . On some days of the week , the stadium offers public tours for a fee . Private tours for groups are offered for a fee seven days a week , though there are some exceptions , and such tours must be arranged in advance . Two bronze panther statues flank each of the stadium 's three main entrances ; they are the largest sculptures ever commissioned in the United States . The names of the team 's original PSL owners are engraved on the base of each statue . The two people in the Panthers Hall of Honor , team executive Mike McCormack and linebacker Sam Mills , are honored with life @-@ sized bronze statues outside the stadium . Mills , in addition to being the only player in the Hall of Honor , is the only player to have had his jersey number ( # 51 ) retired by the Panthers as of 2016 . 
