Packers vs. Colts Pro Football Hall of Fame Game Cancelled
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:
Teams have been told tonight's Hall-of-Fame game has been cancelled. Now awaiting official announcement.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2016
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:
Football is back. But there is a lot of concern about the playability of the turf in Canton. pic.twitter.com/RUuF0S1uOB
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 7, 2016
Field Turf melted on parts of logo, it's like rubber, big concern cleats will stick there, major player safety issue pic.twitter.com/VT6Y1UcYR1
— Pete Dougherty (@PeteDougherty) August 7, 2016
Colts GM Ryan Grigson checking out the field surface. This is a mess. pic.twitter.com/KdgOrAyXhi
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 7, 2016
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:
David Baker, president of HOF, said fans will be refunded their money.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2016
There will be a ceremony tonight with players and new HOF players.
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:
From Colts LB D'Qwell Jackson: 'It sucks but the conditions of the field weren't safe for any player on either roster.' @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 7, 2016