American Football Association to Honor 14 Inductees at 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend

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American Football Association to Honor 14 Inductees at 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend

PR Newswire

The AFA will celebrate its 2026 Hall of Fame class October 22–23 in Canton, Ohio, with the induction ceremony livestreamed nationwide.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- AFA Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend

AFA Minor League Hall of Fame

"These 14 inductees represent decades of dedication to a game and its communities. We're proud to honor their contributions and preserve their stories for future generations." — Dave Burch, President, American Football Association

Fourteen inductees to be honored October 22-23 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton

With 12 days remaining until its Hall of Fame weekend opens, the American Football Association (AFA) is preparing to welcome the Class of 2026, returning Hall of Famers, alumni, families, and supporters to Canton, Ohio. Fourteen individuals will be honored for their contributions to semi-professional and minor league football.

The 44th Annual AFA Minor League Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will take place Friday, October 23, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, Ohio. The celebration begins Thursday, October 22, with the AFA/HoF Legends Meet & Greet.

Weekend Schedule

  • Thursday, October 22: Meet & Greet begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Convention Center at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Friday, October 23: Cocktail reception begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by the buffet dinner at 7:00 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 8:00 p.m. Jacket and tie are preferred.

Tickets and Event Information

Advance registration for the induction dinner closed October 1. Dinner tickets will not be sold at the door. Registered attendees with questions about their existing reservations should contact AFA President Dave Burch at amerfoot@aol.com or (607) 743-6013.

Watch the Induction Ceremony Live

Unable to attend in person? Watch the 2026 AFA Hall of Fame induction ceremony live on Friday, October 23, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, on the AFA Inductions Rumble channel.

View the Class of 2026 Program - The online dinner program features inductee profiles, football history, alumni recognition, memorial tributes, and sponsor advertisements. The digital edition will continue to receive updates through the event. Online Program

Class of 2026 Inductees - Inductees are listed alphabetically by last name within each category.

Coaches

Blaine Bond - Mandeville, LA
Terry L. Grider - Oreana, IL

Players

Greg Berger - Phoenixville, PA
Geoffrey Heard - Litchfield, AZ
Brian Carter - Snohomish, WA
Dale Holmes - Port St. Lucie, FL
Wesley Cates - Columbus, OH
Desmond Jordan - Rocky Point, NC
Don Dixon - Watertown, NY
Al Pallone - Broomfield, CO
Jerry Garrison - Breckenridge, MI
Carmelo Velazquez III - Milwaukee, WI
Tony "T-Bone" Green - Glens Falls, NY
Michael Whitney - Waverly, IA

Sponsor the Digital Program - The AFA thanks its 2026 Hall of Fame sponsors and advertisers. The print edition has been submitted for production; new advertising opportunities remain in the digital program. Contact Dave Burch to confirm placements and arrangements. Sponsorship signup

Join or Renew AFA Alumni Membership - Stay connected and support the AFA mission by joining or renewing your alumni membership. Alumni Membership

AFA Welcomes Your Feedback and Questions - Share your feedback, ask questions, or request information through the AFA's new online channel.

Shop AFA Merchandise - Visit the AFA online store to shop for merchandise and show your support for semi-professional and minor league football. AFA ONLINE STORE

About the American Football Association

Established in 1980, the AFA preserves the history and recognizes the contributions of semi-professional and minor league football participants. Its Hall of Fame honors the players, coaches, and others whose dedication has helped sustain the game and its communities.

Media Contact

David Burch, American Football Association, 1 877-624-4485, (607) 743-6013, amerfoot@aol.com, American Football Association

AFA Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend

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SOURCE American Football Association