Subtraction Through Addition: the Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring

After taking a closer look at the Hall of Fame jacket, today we have a graphic featuring the ring. The current design was introduced a couple years ago, the third since the Hall opened in 1963.

Looking at the evolution, I think I like each new design less than the previous one. There's a great 1960s vibe to the square-jawed silhouette. Pro football came into its own then, and that era continues to inform the sport's aesthetic. The Hall of Fame reflects that in its architecture, and it's only right that as a symbol of the institution the ring should as well.

The new shanks are good, and using the inductee's bust is a clever choice. But the top of the new ring is just a mess, "stadium effect" or no.