Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker Retiring
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker has announced his retirement.
Baker, 68, had served in the role of president and executive director since January 2014. Jim Porter, 57, the Hall's chief marketing and communications officer since April 2020, has been named president and will oversee all daily business operations.
Baker will continue to represent the Hall of Fame at Ring of Excellence ceremonies honoring members of the 2020 and 2021 classes at NFL stadiums for the remainder of the presentation schedule.
"As I approach the end of nearly eight years of service to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for someone else to have the best job in the world so I can still do a few more exciting things in my professional life," Baker said Saturday in a statement.
Baker plans to return home to Orange County, California, to be with family and pursue business projects there and in Nevada.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Baker's "mission to honor and support the heroes of the game will be one of his most lasting and important legacies."
Baker's legacy also includes the introduction of "The Knock" as the way of informing eligible Hall of Fame candidates they've been elected. He'd rap on the doors of the hotel rooms where candidates were sequestered and then break the news when the doors opened.
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