The NFL preseason will begin later than anticipated after poor field conditions resulted in the cancellation of the 2016 Hall of Fame Game.
The league called off the game, which was scheduled for Sunday night and was set to feature the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, after the gridiron at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio, was deemed unplayable.
“Due to safety concerns with the condition of the playing surface in Canton, (Sunday’s)Â game between the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers has been cancelled,” the NFL and NFL Players Association said in a joint statement. “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 this field (Sunday).”
From ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky and Mike Wells:
“Multiple sources told ESPN.com that both the Packers and Colts were worried about player safety as crews worked feverishly to spray solvent on the area around the midfield logo. The issue stemmed from the paint used on the logo and in the end zones.”
In lieu of the game, the Packers and Colts were expected to hold a “fan fest” at the venue, Pro Football Hall of Fame president/executive director David Baker told ESPN’s Lisa Salters.
The Hall of Fame Game had been canceled just once since its inception in 1962, during the 2011 NFL lockout.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network
