Sconnie Sports Talk

Packers: NFL Hall of Fame Game cancelled following poor field conditions

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The NFL Hall of Fame Game, set to take place in Canton between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, will not happen tonight because of poor field conditions, first reported by CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora on Twitter.

This was the statement from the NFL-NFLPA:

Due to safety concerns with the condition of the playing surface in Canton, tonight’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers has been cancelled. We are very disappointed for our fans, but player safety is our primary concern, and as a result, we could not play an NFL game on the field tonight.

The game, added on to the standard four preseason games for both teams, was planned in order to honor multiple Packers and Colts organization members being inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2016, including Brett Favre, Marvin Harrison, and Tony Dungy. However, issues with the field began early on in the day and prevented safe play from occurring. The main problem seemed to stem from the paint used, which was affecting the surface of the field.

Minutes later, DT Ricky Lumpkin of the Colts confirmed that the game would be cancelled.

Despite Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck not being expected to play, there was still palpable buzz around the game. Fans will be refunded their money and a special ceremony with the Hall of Famers and teams’ players will take place instead.

Baker called it “an easy, ethical decision,” according to Shefter. Baker said the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization, will lose $4 million in refunds.


Image via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. 

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