By Jordan Long
The first preseason game of the year was scheduled to take place last night. The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, between the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts was canceled due to unplayable conditions. The paint used in the midfield and the end zones made the field hard, slick, and uneven. It was the right decision but should the NFL keep playing the game there?
The Hall of Fame Game is a celebration for not only the first NFL preseason game, but it tops the weekend for the Hall of Fame inductions. It has been a tradition to play the game in Canton since 1962 and this was scheduled to be the 9th year at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. This is the first time they have ever had to scratch the game.
Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Minnesota Vikings 14-3 in the Hall of Fame game. Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham tore his ACL on the second half kickoff. He was lost for the year. Following numerous player complaints, the NFL changed the surface of the field, but the paint made the field unplayable. According to ESPN, Packers’ President Mark Murphy was asked if the game should still be played here. Murphy said, “I think that’s a question for later, but I think the league and the Hall of Fame, and as owners and myself and others from the Packer organization when we get together at league meetings, I think we need to look at some of those issues.”
If player safety is going to be a concern then stop playing the game. Players shouldn’t risk injury if the field is not playable. The best solution to me is to still have the Hall of Fame induction but not have the game. The game isn’t as important as these athletes, who played in the NFL being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of fame.
The NFL will need to take a good hard look. They enjoy having the game there because it signals the end of the Hall of Fame weekend. If they want the game be played in Canton, make sure the field is playable. If incidents continue to occur, then drop the game all together.
What should the NFL do about the Hall of Fame Game?
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