FRISCO, TEXAS — The Hall of Fame Game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 6 has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic per ESPN. In addition, the enshrinement ceremony set on Aug. 8 is being postponed until 2021.
Five players, Steve Atwater, Isaac Bruce, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, and Troy Polamalu; coaches Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher; and three legendary contributors, Steve Sabol, George Young, and Paul Tagliabue were to be enshrined days after the preseason opener in Canton.
The Hall of Fame Game is the first major event that has been canceled due to the virus. The Steelers and Cowboys are now expected to report to training camp along with the rest of the teams in the league. The projected start date for camp in approximately a month is July 28, but is a topic still under deliberation as cases continue to climb.
The Cowboys’ featured back, Ezekiel Elliott tested positive for corona but said on Twitch that he feels “good” and that he only experienced mild symptoms including “cough and shortness of breath” for 1-2 days. Elliott is going to wait another week before he starts workouts again to give his body time to rest and get back to 100%.
In response to being asked about the current climate and a potential NFL season, Zeke remarked, “ I just feel like there’s a lot of moving parts that have to be figured out. I just don’t know how they can keep the players healthy. You’ve got to put the health of the players first. And it’s not even so much I would say the player’s health because I got corona and it didn’t really affect me much. But a lot of people have kids, they may have kids with asthma, their parents or grandparents may live with them. “
A lot of pieces to consider- not putting players, coaches, and their families at risk are of the upmost importance to the NFL and continued changes may be made in the coming weeks.
