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Fernando Von Rossum, a Mexican play-by-play commentator credited with introducing "American football" to millions of new fans, was honored with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Ralph Hay Pioneer Award.
He received the award Friday at the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at Canton Memorial Civic Center.
“It was a huge shock to me," Von Rossum said. "I didn’t think I would've been considered for an award like this.
"I feel like I'm opening another door for Spanish commentators. With this recognition, they can also get opportunities to be considered for awards like this."
Von Rossum, born in Monterrey, Mexico, is the first Hispanic to be given the award.
"It's a huge satisfaction and responsibility to be the first Hispanic," he said. "It took 50 years of my career to get here. Mexico is now a big part of the NFL. It's something we built. I'm very thankful for the Hall of Fame for considering me."
Who is Fernando Von Rossum?
Von Rossum called his first professional football game more than 60 years ago. He was a longtime radio figure on Televisa, a dominant media organization in Latin America, where he worked for half a century. Later, he worked with TV Azteca and Fox Sports.
He is known for introducing the sport of “American football” to millions of new football fans through a mixture of patient teaching of the game, the unusual verbiage and rules.
“The selection of Fernando as a Ralph Hay Pioneer Award winner could not be more fitting,” Hall President Jim Porter said. “He is the true definition of a pioneer — someone who went where no one had gone before. He took a game that was totally foreign to most of his television audience and helped build the National Football League’s presence in Mexico to a point that international games became part of the country’s sports landscape. This is a richly deserved honor earned through decades of dedication to the game and its fans.”
What is the Ralph Hay Pioneer Award?
The Ralph Hay Pioneer Award, named for the former owner of the Canton Bulldogs who hosted the NFL’s formational meeting in Canton in 1920, was established in 1972. It is presented in recognition of “significant innovative contributions to professional football.”
Since its creation, the Pioneer Award has been presented only 10 other times. The first recipient was Fred Gehrke, the Los Angeles Rams halfback who devised the idea of a helmet logo in 1948.
"The Forgotten Four” — Marion Motley , Woody Strode, Kenny Washington and Bill Willis — were the most recent winners, in 2022. The four men reintegrated pro football in 1946 after the game was devoid of Black players for 13 seasons.
Honoring an NFL broadcasting legend in the Spanish-speaking world
During Friday night's Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner, the Hall played a six-minute video highlighting moments throughout his career.
Von Rossum then delivered a speech both in English and in Spanish, addressing how thankful he is and mentioning a few of his favorite moments during his time in the league.
"Those first years were challenging, as we had to teach the game and the rules to new fans. But we were finally able to show an increasing audience the magic that is the NFL," said Von Rossum. "I'm grateful for the millions of Mexican fans who stayed with me for decades through it all."
Fernando Von Rossum's personal favorite memory from his career wasn't a Super Bowl
For many commentators, their favorite memory is covering a Super Bowl. But Von Rossum's favorite memory isn't from any of the hundreds of games and championships he covered.
One day while he was working at Televisa, a man was sitting down nearby. He had called out for Von Rossum and asked if he could talk to him briefly.
"He starts telling me that for many years he was in a dark place. He told me that he didn't know how to get out of it," Von Rossum said.
The man told Von Rossum that during a suicide attempt, he overheard his neighbor's radio and heard Von Rossum over the broadcast say: "Life and sports go hand-in-hand because when life hits you, you have to get up and try again. When you fall, 99% of the time you get up and give it 100% instead."
"He told me that after hearing that, he got up and tried giving life a second chance — that moment forever stuck with me," Von Rossum said. "It amazing to know that sports have the power to do that. I always get super emotional telling this story."
What's life like now for Fernando Von Rossum?
While Von Rossum's football legacy will live on forever in Canton, he says he gave sports a break.
"I do watch football games here and there, but I rarely watch it on a consistent basis. I'm into reading books now and spend time with my family," said Von Rossum.
He said he enjoys traveling as well, and that his favorite city is Paris.
Past Ralph Hay Pioneer Award winners
- 2022 – Marion Motley, Woody Strode, Kenny Washington and Bill Willis: The four men reintegrated pro football in 1946 after the game was devoid of Black players for 13 seasons.
- 2016 – Joe Browne: Worked for over 50 years at the NFL, turning it into the most popular sport in the world.
- 2012 – Art McNally: Devoted his entire professional career to officiating and pioneered numerous innovations for the NFL, including instant replay.
- 2007 – Steve Sabol: President of NFL Films and honored filmmaker.
- 2004 – City of Pottsville, Pennsylvania: Loyal support of the NFL and undying spirit and pride in the history of the defunct Pottsville Maroons of the 1920s.
- 2001 – George Toma: NFL’s longtime head groundskeeper known as the “God of Sod.”
- 1992 – David Boss: Vice President and Creative Director for NFL Properties and noted photographer.
- 1986 – John Facenda: Legendary voice of NFL Films.
- 1975 – Arch Ward: Chicago Tribune sports editor who initiated Chicago All-Star Game that featured NFL champions vs. College All-Stars.
- 1972 – Fred Gehrke: Los Angeles Rams halfback who devised idea of logos on helmets and painted horns on Rams helmets in 1948.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hall of Fame honors broadcaster who introduced millions of new fans to 'American football'
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