In recent weeks, the NFL has discussed shortening the preseason this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and while it is currently unknown how many games could be canceled, it appears that one of them has already gotten the ax.
The NFL decided to cancel the Hall of Fame game between the Cowboys and Steelers, due to be played on August 6 in Canton, Ohio. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine did not seem optimistic about the game when asked about it last week. The league also decided to postpone the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which was supposed to take place on August 8.
The consecration ceremony, which was to include induction of candidates such as Bill Cowher, Jimmy Johnson, and Troy Polamalu, will now take place on August 5, 2021, kicking off the Hall of Fame weekend festivities. The Cowboys and Steelers are also expected to be the two teams playing in the Hall of Fame game when it returns next year.
The Pro Football 2021 Hall of Fame consecration weekend will take place from August 5 to 9, 2021. The consecration of the Centennial Class of 2020 is scheduled for Saturday, August 7, 2021 and that of the Class of 2021 is scheduled for Sunday, August 8, 2021. With two separate consecration ceremonies, there will be two separate ticket sales.
“The health and safety of our Hall of Fame, the fans and volunteers that make Enthronement Week so special remains our top priority,” said David Baker, President and CEO of the Professional Soccer Hall of Fame. . “The Hall will honor the 2020 Centennial Class next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular Class of 2021, as part of a multi-day soccer celebration with an atmosphere that will bring fans ‘Twice the Fun in’ twenty-one. ‘”
Fans can keep their tickets to the rescheduled Hall of Fame Game and / or the consecration ceremony in honor of the 2020 Centennial Class or can request a refund, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Fans holding their tickets will also receive a 25% discount on Hall of Fame merchandise purchased prior to March 31, 2021 and the opportunity to update seating locations (if available).
Fans who keep their tickets for the Centennial Class of 2020 consecration can keep those seats and be part of the Class of 2021 consecration ticket pre-sale.
The Steelers and Cowboys are two of at least 10 teams that have had at least one COVID-19 positive player this offseason.
The league’s decision to cancel the game is important, and that’s because it marks the first time this year that the NFL has had to cancel something due to the pandemic. For the past three months, he’s been as close to the NFL’s business as possible, which has kept free agency and his draft. Before Thursday, the only major change the NFL had really made was the decision to withdraw the Las Vegas draft in order to keep it virtually.
As for the rest of the NFL preseason, the league has been discussing the possibility of shortening things from four games to two games, although it has not yet been officially decided. From now on, the training camp is expected to continue as planned. The current plan is for players to arrive at camp on July 28.
Despite the cancellation of the Hall of Fame game, the NFL remains optimistic that the 2020 season may start on time. The league is still finalizing its protocols for the year, and one thing that is sure to happen is a ton of testing. NFLPA Medical Director Thom Mayer announced on June 16 that players will likely be screened up to three times a week to prevent the spread of the virus.
The NFLPA has been doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the virus among players. Over the weekend, the players’ association issued a notice asking players to stop training together. Now that the country is grappling with a spike in cases and a training camp around the corner, the NFL has decided not to risk the virus.
