NFL cancels Hall of Fame Game due to unsafe playing conditions
The NFL has cancelled the 2016 Hall of Fame Game and first game of the preseason due to ‘unsafe playing field conditions’
After six months of waiting and pining for the NFL to come back, the NFL preseason was supposed to get off to a resounding start. On Sunday night in Canton, OH, it was supposed to be the Green Bay Packers taking on the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 Hall of Fame Game. However, things started to devolve in a big way the closer it got to game time.
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Now things have devolved so much that there won’t be a Hall of Fame Game at all.
Amidst reports that coaches and players were concerned about the conditions on the field in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, it first began to look like not playing the game was possible. Then playing the game was called “doubtful.” Finally it was decided to not play the game as both teams were informed of the decision, first reported by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports:
I'm told teams being informed there will not be a Hall of Game tonight due to unsafe playing field conditions
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 7, 2016
That was then confirmed by ESPN:
BREAKING: The Colts-Packers Hall Of Fame Game has been cancelled due to field conditions. https://t.co/ErY0Mwv4t4 pic.twitter.com/yTFcXLinFw
— ESPN (@espn) August 7, 2016
This is a brutal look for the NFL to cancel the Hall of Fame Game, their first outing of the year. However, with reports that some of the painted areas had congealed to the point that they were rock hard, it’s not a hard decision to make in regards to player safety.
Sorry, football fans; it looks like you’re going to have to wait at least a few more days before you get the NFL back in your life.