Indianapolis Colts

Hall of Fame game between Packers and Colts canceled due to poor conditions

Published Aug. 7, 2016 7:03 p.m. ET

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The NFL preseason was scheduled to tip off Sunday, but that is no longer the case. The Hall of Fame game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts was canceled due to poor field conditions.

Players from both teams were complaining about the field as crews attempted to work on the midfield logo. Paint used on the logo and in the end zones was the point of concern for the players.

The NFL and NFL Players’ Association released a joint statement regarding the cancellation.

“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. 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.” 

Hall of Fame president David Baker told ESPN that the teams will host a “fan fest” at the stadium in place of the game, which was scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

Baker addressed the crowd while being booed by the crowd.

"We know a lot of you came a long way," Baker said. "Here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we have the greatest respect for players and for player safety. As a result of some painting on the field today, some questions arose."

A Packers player told ESPN that midfield was like "cement."

The cancellation was pricey for the Hall of Fame, which was lose about $4 million, according to Baker.

"We thought we would be able to remediate it by delaying the game for as much as an hour," Baker said. "But in the end, if it's remotely close to unsafe, we conferred with the league, we think the best thing to do is respect the safety of the players. It's the only thing to do.

"I can tell you, I had a son who played in this league," Baker added. "If it happened with him on the field, I would have wanted someone to make the same decision."

Baker said the 2016 Hall of Fame class -- which included Packers icon Brett Favre and Colts legend Marvin Harrison -- would be introduced to the crowd and the halftime show would be held.

"This is a hard decision, but we know it is the right decision," Baker told reporters. "In some respects a hard decision because of the impact it has. This is an important game to the people in Canton."

The NFL preseason will now begin Thursday, when six games are scheduled to kick off.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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