The Ralph Wilson Jr. Foundation has announced a second $2.5 million grant to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, that will go towards a holographic theater scheduled to open at the Hall this summer.
Wilson, who owned the Bills from 1960 until his death in 2014, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. Wilson made a $2.5 million donation to the Hall of Fame to help build its research library in 2012. The research library is now named in his honor.
“This generous additional gift from the foundation is further evidence of the special appreciation Ralph had for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and its mission,” Hall of Fame president David Baker said.
The Hall of Fame and adjacent Fawcett Stadium are in the midst of an expansion and renovation project that will eventually include the Hall of Fame Village retail and entertainment center on the Hall’s grounds. Baker has said he hopes that project will include Canton getting the opportunity to host the NFL Draft in 2019 or 2020.
Earlier this week the NFL announced the Packers will play the Colts in the annual Hall of Fame Game. Those teams made for an easy choice as the traditional preseason opener will be played the night after Brett Favre, Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison are inducted into the Hall of Fame.