The NFL and NFL Players Association released a joint statement this evening explaining the cancelation of tonight’s Hall of Fame Game, caused by a botched paint job damaging the playing surface in Canton, Ohio.
“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,” the statement said. “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.”
Logos at midfield and in the end zones were painted today, and a paint not suitable for playing surfaces was used. When the paint congealed, the surface became sticky, and players and coaches believed it would be unsafe to play on it.
Safety should, of course, come first. But safety should come first in preparing the field in the first place. Not in canceling the game after failing to prepare the field safely.