Goodyear Blimp flies into College Football Hall of Fame

The only non-player or coach inducted, the blimp is being recognized for its contributions to college football as the game celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Covering college football games for 64 years, Goodyear may be the oldest inductee, dating back to the 1955 Rose Bowl after network television requested aerial coverage of the game. Since then, the blimp has suited up and covered more than 2,000 games, becoming one of sport’s biggest icons.

National Football Foundation Chairman Archie Manning said, “Its presence is intrinsically known and tied to the traditions that make college football so great.”

The airships’ legacy will be commemorated at a new exhibit in Atlanta’s College Football Hall of Fame, which showcases historical blimp artifacts, video footage, and pictures.

In August, AOPA had the chance to go behind the scenes with Wingfoot Three—one of Goodyear’s blimps based in Akron, Ohio.