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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sens. Rob Portman and Joe Manchin teamed up to introduce bipartisan legislation for a commemorative coin benefiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Their proposed legislation would authorize the U.S. Mint to create the coin, with its proceeds benefiting the Hall of Fame.

Portman, R-Ohio, noted the Pro Football Hall of Fame brings more than 200,000 visitors a year to Canton and has a yearly estimated economic impact of at least $30 million on the Canton and Stark County areas - and nearly $56 million in Ohio.

"The 50th anniversary of the Hall of Fame is in 2013, and the Hall is currently in the middle of a large expansion and renovation project," he said. The coin program would "set the museum on course for the future and help make it an even more attractive destination.

"Proceeds from this coin will contribute to that effort as the Hall of Fame continues to honor the individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport, preserve the history of the game and promote the positive values of the sport."

The bill would honor the Hall and help it promote its mission at no cost to taxpayers, he added.

Ohio also has a rich football heritage, Portman said. It is considered the birthplace of professional football, as the American Football League - which later became the National Football League - was founded there in 1920.

There are 23 Ohioans in the Hall. Only Pennsylvania with 29 members and Texas with 28 members have more.

Members from local communities are Lou Groza of Martins Ferry and Clarke Hinkle of Toronto.

Other Ohio-born members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are Cliff Battles of Akron; Bob "Boomer" Brown of Cleveland; Paul Brown of Norwalk; Joe Carr of Columbus; Larry Csonka of Stow; Len Dawson of Alliance; Dan Dierdorf of Canton; Benny Friedman of Cleveland; Wilbur "Pete" Henry of Mansfield; Jack Lambert of Mantua; Dante Lavelli of Hudson; Dick LeBeau of London; Tom Mack of Cleveland; Mike Michalske of Cleveland; Chuck Noll of Cleveland; Alan Page of Canton; Don Shula of Grand River; Roger Staubach of Cincinnati; Paul Warfield of Warren; Bill Willis of Columbus; and Ralph Wilson Jr., of Columbus.

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Senators on Same Team for Football Hall of Fame Coin