Hall of Fame Game between Packers, Colts canceled
CANTON, Ohio — The NFL season didn't kick off Sunday night after all.
Poor field conditions at Tom Benson Stadium prompted the cancellation of the NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game. Thus the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers will only play four preseason games, like every other team.
"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," read a joint statement from the NFL and players union. "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 tonight."
Apparently, portions of the Hall of Fame logo in the middle of the field melted, causing concern that players’ cleats would stick.
Colts punter Pat McAfee perfectly summed up team's reaction to Hall of Fame Game cancellation
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"This is a very, very difficult decision for us today," Hall of Fame president David Baker said on ESPN. "But we think it's the only decision that can be made."
After a long deliberation that included Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and Packers general manager Ted Thompson, everyone was asked to leave the field around 6:30 p.m. ET, roughly 90 minutes before kickoff. Fans were allowed to enter the stadium after a delay, but were not told about the cancellation of the game until Baker addressed them at 8 p.m, nearly 75 minutes after the players were told.
"As a result of some painting on the field today, some questions arose about player safety," Baker told the fans. "We talked to both sets of players. I can tell you — I had a son who played in this league — if it had happened with him on the field, I would've wanted somebody to make the same decision."
Baker said there will be a "full refund policy" announced on Monday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Even with the cancellation, the Colts cheerleaders performed, the Hall of Fame Class of 2016, including Packers legend Brett Favre and former Colts coach Tony Dungy and receiver Marvin Harrison, was introduced, and singer Lee Greenwood performed.
Both Colts and Packers players took the field in shorts around the the time the game would have kicked off as part of an ad hoc fan fest.
"A very, very difficult decision for us today," Baker told ESPN. "I think this happened in Philadelphia one time, I think it happened one other time, they learned from it, we'll learn from it. We're going to make sure this never happens again."
"A lot of fans came a long way," he said. "But this is the only decision that could be made."
"In some respects it's a hard decision," he added, "but it's an easy ethical decision."
The crews stopped working on the field around 7 p.m., just before ESPN announced on air that the game had been canceled.
The Colts will return to Anderson, Ind., for the final three days of training camp this week. The team will open the 2016 preseason next Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. The Packers are scheduled to host the Cleveland Browns on Friday.
The Hall of Fame Game was last cancelled in 2011, a victim of the collective bargaining negotiations during the lockout.
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Keefer writes for The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK
PHOTOS: Hall of Fame Game canceled
