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Indianapolis Colts: Hall of Fame Game Cancelled

By Kyle Nishida

Aug 7, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Field workers spray the field before the NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Mandatory Credit: Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network
Aug 7, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Field workers spray the field before the NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Mandatory Credit: Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network /
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The Pro Football Hall of Fame game has been canceled due to unplayable field conditions. As a result, the Indianapolis Colts will have to wait another week to get their preseason started.

After watching two of their own enter the Hall of Fame Saturday, the Colts were ready to take the field this evening. However, it appears the Hall of Fame officials and event staff were no prepared for the game.

Apparently, the field was deemed unplayable after the grounds crew put the wrong type of paint on the field. After realizing they put the wrong paint on the field, the crew tried to remove the paint. However, the damage was already done, and the field was nowhere close to being ready.

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According to ESPN, one Green Bay Packers‘ player said the midfield logo felt “like cement.” That same player also said the end zones were equally as bad about 90 minutes before the scheduled 8 p.m. ET kickoff.

As a result, the event staff, the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers had no choice but to cancel the game.

The cancellation of this game is unfortunate for the fans and the players. While some fans mainly traveled to Canton, Ohio to see the induction ceremony, a good amount came to Canton to see this preseason game.

This is also a lost opportunity for lesser-known players on both teams. The Packers were going to play primarily 3rd-string and 4th-string players while the Colts were only going to play their starters for one game.

To be fair, at least the event staff and the teams thought about the players’ safety first. Overall, the Hall of Fame game is a hyped-up preseason game. Preseason games in general are relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

On the flip side, the Hall of Fame has drawn some harsh criticism for this field mishap. Monday Night Countdown’s Randy Moss was calling for someone to lose their job, and Monday Night Football’s Jon Gruden called the mishap an “embarrassment.”

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Obviously, the cancellation of the Hall of Fame game is disappointing, but it was the right decision. The Indianapolis Colts’ preseason opener will now take place on August 13, 2016 in Ralph Wilson Stadium against the Buffalo Bills.

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