NFL Football Factory…made in USA!!

HAPPY JULY 4th!! In the spirit of the day, I give you some “made in the USA” manufacturing Americana.

Where are the current NBA basketballs made???……………China 😢

Where are the current NHL hockey pucks made???………..Canada 😢

Where are the current MLB baseballs made???………………Costa Rica 😢

Where are the current NFL footballs made???………………..Ada, Ohio…NFL Football Factory…made in USA!! 💕💖😊

That’s right. I speak the truth on this one. In the very small town of Ada, OH, you will find the Wilson Football factory. Since 1955, the Wilson football factory has been hand making thousands of Wilson footballs each year. Not only are these balls the current footballs of the NFL…EVERY football ever touched in the NFL has been made at this factory. EVERY touchdown ever scored in the NFL was with these footballs. EVERY football ever used in any Super Bowl was made here in Ada, OH, at the Wilson Football factory. Have I made my point? Beyond that, most (not all) of the NCAA college footballs are made here as well. The factory cranks out about 700,000 footballs per year. Outside of going to games, if you are a serious NFL fan, there are 2 places that have to be on your Bucket List…1) of course, the Canton, OH, Football Hall of Fame…2) Tour of the Wilson Football Factory, Ada, OH.

And, when they say “hand made,” they mean “HAND MADE.” There is very little automation and computerization in this place. This place is a throw back in the manufacturing timeline. All the workers get paid by piece work. The more items that you get through your station…the more you get paid. You can see the big sheets of leather that get bought in to start the process. These sheets go to the cutting station where the cutters cut as many footballs out of the hide as possible. Then, the pieces are partially sewn together with the inside surface out. Then the turners turn the balls inside out so that the familiar brown leather shows on the outside. Then, the balls are laced up. Finally, they are aired up, molded a bit and then get final inspection. Somewhere along the process, the leather also receives the branding and decals needed for each ball. This is manufacturing Americana at its best.

If you like the NFL, you will want to do this tour. Tour are available most of the year by call ahead reservation. I do not recall what it costs, but its not much. Beyond the fascinating manufacturing process, the place is full of history. Come see every football every used in a Super Bowl….and much much more. In recent years, the factory has hosted such VIPs as Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning. About 100 employees work here…many have been here for a very long time. The employees are very welcoming. They will pause in their work and show each tour group how they work. Their hands work the leather faster than you can follow…remember, you get paid by the piece. I can not emphasize this enough…there are not many places left like this anymore. Get yourself to Ada, OH, and see where the magic happens before someone comes along and ruins it for everyone. PT

Thank you for reading NFL Football Factory…made in USA!! on Traveling with PugsleyTonks

Thank you to https://www.wilson.com/en-us/explore/football/ada-ohio-factory

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