Although they don’t really like to draw attention to themselves, the workers at the Wilson Football Factory in Ada, Ohio are proud to tell you that every snap in every Super Bowl has been taken with a ball manufactured in the small unobtrusive plant located down the street from Ohio Northern University. In fact, the plant has manufactured every football—not just every Wilson football, but literally every football—made in the United States since 1955. 

The history of the modern game has its roots amid the bucolic farmlands of this rural Ohio town. That there hasn’t been a museum to honor this unique and important contribution is evidence of the humility of the workers that hand-tie, hand-sew and hand-stretch around 4,300 balls per day, year-round. Recently, however, members of the Ada community banded together to create a museum in honor of their most visible corporate citizen. 

The initiative is entirely community driven. Although two representatives from Wilson sit on the museum’s board, the company is not financing the project. 

The factory is "something the community is very proud of," Plant Manager Dan Riegle said. "When they kick off the Super Bowl…that’s our ball. That’s made right here in Ada." 

The museum will be interactive and feature a display of the history of football manufacturing Riegle said. It will also honor the men and women that have spent a majority of their lives making the balls.

According to Riegle, the factory has an average tenure of 20 years. Many workers, like Jerry Hall, have been with the company even longer. Hall, who started with Wilson 38 years ago, said the company has strong family ties. 

When he began the entire workforce was mostly comprised of two families—aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers all working together. Times have changed a bit, but the community atmosphere remains the same.

A few weeks ago, the football museum board held a fundraising dinner with a special appearance by Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel. Tressel, whose parents grew up in Ada, spoke with the Double-A Zone about the impact Wilson has made.

 "It’s such a part of our culture here—those of us that grew up in Ohio—and of course really in the entire country," Tressel said. "Football is that one sport that’s American. It’s not played anywhere else very well…every leather football that’s made in this country is made right here in Ohio, right here in my mom and dad’s hometown." 

There is no firm date set for the museum’s open, but Riegle said they anticipate the project will be complete in the next three to five years.