The NFL Players Association had problems with the field at the Hall of Fame Game last year, when Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham suffered a torn ACL (and was cut by the Steelers this year, still unready to compete for his job).
But last night’s debacle only opened up an old wound for the union.
“First of all, I’m glad that the field safety protocol was followed and the game was canceled,” NFLPA president Eric Winston told Jenny Vrentas of TheMMQB.com. “Shaun Suisham led on this key issue this offseason and the protocol has become vital already this season.
“Second of all, the HoF game for, at least, the second year in a row has a surface that is unacceptable.”
Suisham’s efforts this offseason (while unable to do his job) helped bring about the creation of a joint committee between the league and the players to monitor field conditions.
That’s important for not only the Hall of Fame Game, but for any third-party field such as the one they’re using in Orlando this year for the Pro Bowl and a preseason game, or the growing number of international games.
The turf in question this weekend was a used one, given from the Superdome after it was used there for the 2016 Sugar Bowl.
Saints owner Tom Benson had previously made a $11 million donation to the Hall of Fame, which is why the stadium has his name on it. Of that total which was donated in 2014, $10 million was earmarked for upgrading the local high school stadium in which the game was always played.
As a result of his used carpet, he might prefer it didn’t today.