Football, food, and inclusion were the highlights of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Deaf Day at the Hall, attended by over 250 guests. The event was organized by Triad Deaf Services and museum staff to offer an inclusive experience for individuals who had not previously visited the Hall of Fame.
Gallaudet University from Washington, D.C., known for serving hearing-impaired students, played a crucial role in the event. Dale McCord, a deaf member of the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association and a fan captain for the Washington Commanders, emceed the event. McCord has been recognized for promoting accessibility measures such as closed captioning at games.
The day featured football drills for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and informational presentations on technological advancements for adults. Attendees also enjoyed food trucks, merchandise tables, and a cornhole tournament.
Gallaudet University made its mark in football history when its quarterback Paul Hubbard invented the huddle in 1894 to prevent opponents from stealing play calls. Today, Gallaudet competes at the Division III level with jerseys that feature their team name spelled in American Sign Language (ASL).
“We wanted to represent our culture and community,” said Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet Associate Athletic Director for Communications. The university collaborates with AT&T on a 5G helmet that delivers play calls through augmented reality. A Gallaudet player noted that wearing this helmet felt like “the world was instantly lifted off my shoulders.”
Gallaudet plans to continue using these NCAA-approved helmets next season.
