ATLANTA, Ga.—The College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta has something for every football fan. But you may not know the hall of fame has some Ohio roots.

What You Need To Know

  • The College Football Hall of Fame is in downtown Atlanta

  • The museum actually originated in Ohio, nearby to King's Island in Mason

  • Kent Stephens, a historian for the museum, has worked at the HOF since it was in Mason

  • The museum houses countless relics of hundreds of college football players, coaches and teams

Meet College Football Hall of Fame historian Kent Stephens. Here in the archives of the museum, he has a place for everything.

Kent Stephens pulls an Ohio State media guide from 2006 (Spectrum News/Katie Kapusta)

But how long has Stephens been doing this?

“Since I was an intern from Ohio State as a grad student in 1990.” Stephens shared.

That’s when the hall of fame was in Mason, Ohio, before it moved to South Bend, Indiana, eventually coming here to Atlanta. But Stephens bleeds scarlet and gray.

“Being a Cincinnatian, I did my undergrad at University of Cincinnati and went to grad school at Ohio State, obviously a lifetime Ohio State fan," Stephens said. "So, it’s been a wonderful career.”

The historian shows us what not every visitor gets to see. “These are all footballs and helmets and shoes and sweaters and band uniforms and cheerleading uniforms and jerseys and pants and socks," he said.

Including what he thinks is the best piece of Ohio State football history, Chic Harley’s helmet.

Kent Stephens believes Chic Harley's helmet is one of the best artifacts of football the museum has (Spectrum News/Katie Kapusta)

“I consider this to be the holy grail of Ohio State football," Stephens said.

And other Ohio State relics, including a bust sculpture of Woody Hayes.

But outside the walls of the archive, Stephens shares what Buckeye fans will love to see between Archie Griffin’s jersey, Mike Doss’ gear, and even some band memorabilia.

“Of course, we have the Ohio State band uniform," he said.

But Stephens is most comfortable here in the archives, sharing his knowledge, and hoping others find the joy in it that he does.

“I feel that unfortunately a lot of people are plagued by what I call generational narcissism," Stephens said. "They can’t relate to anything that didn’t happen within their life span. And so that’s very important to me that we honor these people and remember the contributions that they made because they made us as to who we are.”