Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Jeopardy Due to Field Conditions
According to ESPN, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Sunday evening between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts could be in jeopardy because of poor field conditions:
Both organizations very concerned about playing surface and there are real questions about whether tonight's game will be played.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2016
Apparently, the wrong kind of paint was applied to the center logo and end zones–which is sticky in nature, and the grounds crew is working on removing the paint. However, team officials on both sides are also concerned with whether the solvent for removal is hazardous itself:
Trust me, Colts Ryan Grigson down there and doesn't appear real happy. pic.twitter.com/N03s4AHNH4
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) August 7, 2016
Both team officials’ turf experts are on the field and apparently aren’t satisfied with the field’s current playing condition, as there’s also large exposed rubber chunks in addition to the paint and solvent:
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
Will they play? Pregame powwow in Canton over turf playability. pic.twitter.com/A8j8xkCu74
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 7, 2016
It would be a disappointing ending to what has otherwise been a great weekend for Colts fans, although I’m sure the coaches and players wouldn’t mind skipping the extra preseason game for injuries sake.
Update (6:50 EST): It’s looking increasingly doubtful that the Colts preseason opener will actually take place tonight against the Green Bay Packers:
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