Packers vs. Colts Pro Football Hall of Fame Game Cancelled

Aug 7, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, left, inspects the field with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, prior to the 2016 Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, left, inspects the field with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, prior to the 2016 Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts vs. Green Bay Packers preseason opener for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game has now been reportedly cancelled:

Due to sticky paint that was misapplied to the field center logo, field logos, and end zones by the groundscrew earlier this morning, the turf was deemed not suitable for proper playing conditions. A solvent was applied to help rectify the situation, but that was deemed potentially hazardous as well.

League and team officials alike, coaches, and doctors gathered and decided that they did not want to put the players at risk:

In the game’s absence, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will now reportedly host an unofficial “Fanfest” of sorts, where players will interact with fans and likely sign autographs in some capacity for a period of time.

It’s a bizarre ending to what was otherwise a great Hall of Fame weekend for the NFL, as Green Bay and Indianapolis fans travelled far and wide to attend this game. However, at least there is somewhat of a happy ending for those fans expecting to attend the game with the planned Fanfest:

As far as the game itself, both the Colts and Packers were playing an extra preseason game regardless, so there’s no point in exposing them to further injury because of poor turf conditions.

While it’s hard to turn down extra Colts football, we have to look at the best interest of the players and right now that’s keeping them safe: