Field issues cancel Hall of Fame Game

CANTON, Ohio — Football was back, they said. They were wrong.

On a stunning Sunday evening in Canton, Ohio, the Hall of Fame Game between the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers was canceled due to poor field conditions. Both teams are left with four preseason games — the Colts will open Saturday in Buffalo — just like the remaining 30 NFL teams.

But it was nonetheless an embarrassing night for the NFL and the Hall of Fame. After a weekend-long celebration that honored the eight members of the Hall of Fame’s 2016 Class — including former Colts coach Tony Dungy and receiver Marvin Harrison — the league failed to provide a safe playing field for the first game on the 2016 calendar.

“We’re disappointed, obviously, and we knew a lot of people came out for the game so we’re going to make sure we take care of all the fans that planned to be here and that sort of thing,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said.

The issue first arose around 5 p.m., when players and staff noticed the logo at the center of the field was sticking to some players’ cleats. After a long deliberation that included Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson and Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, everyone was instructed to leave the field around 6:30 p.m., roughly 90 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff.

Players were told around 6:45 p.m. that the game was canceled. Hall of Fame President David Baker didn’t address the thousands of fans in attendance — some of whom had driven several hours for the first game of the NFL season — until 8 p.m.

“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 then told the fans that “a full refund policy” would be announced Monday by the Hall of Fame.

“Earlier in the day, the league and the Players Association looked at the field and it was playable and it was fine,” Irsay said. “Then there was some painting that occurred. It was a very unusual situation. We’re obviously disappointed.

“It’s something that shouldn’t have occurred,” Irsay continued. “We’re disappointed … we’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“No question, we’ve been on fields before — I won’t name the stadiums — that were a little questionable,” Irsay added. “Fields that were taken away for other events and fields that got put down. We looked at some areas and said, 'Hey, this field is a little rough.’ Grass fields were getting that way. This isn’t unprecedented. The unusual thing about it is that it was looking like it was good to play, then the paint job that got put down led to a very unusual, sort of toxic situation that we didn’t want to take a risk on.”

Baker said more than once that he felt the decision to cancel the game was “the only decision that we could have made.”

“In some respects, it was a hard decision,” Baker said. “But it’s an easy ethical decision.”

Around 8 p.m., after Baker’s announcement, players and coaches from both teams made their way onto the field. The Hall of Fame inductees were honored. The Colts cheerleaders performed. And singer Lee Greenwood performed.

While this was a meaningless game for most of the Colts’ starters, Sunday’s preseason contest was an opportunity for plenty of rookies and reserves trying to make the roster. Every rep counts, and games are the best chance to stand out. Instead, it was a wasted trip.

“I was excited to see the young guys go,” Colts veteran safety Mike Adams said. “This game means a lot to them.”

The Colts will return to Anderson University for the final week of training camp.

Call IndyStar reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134 and follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer.

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