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The first weekend on the NFL calendar will be considerably different this year, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
On Thursday, Schefter confirmed something that seemed all too likely—that the Pro Football Hall of Fame game set for August 6, between the Steelers and Cowboys, would be canceled. Additionally, the enshrinement ceremony, scheduled for August 8, would be postponed.
The Dallas Cowboys-Pittsburgh Steelers preseason opener at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 is being canceled and the Hall of Fame's enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 8 is being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, league sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 25, 2020
Schefter followed up to say that Dallas and Pittsburgh would be scheduled to play in Canton in 2021 in order to make up for the canceled game. More importantly, the enshrinement ceremony for the 2020 Hall of Fame class will take place then, too.
The Cowboys and Steelers, who were scheduled to play in this year’s preseason opener, now are expected to play in the 2021 Hall of Fame game next summer, per sources. The HOF enshrinement ceremony also is expected to be held then.https://t.co/1dGl2DX2iq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 25, 2020
David Baker, the president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, expanded on the plans in a statement, saying, “the health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and volunteers who make Enshrinement Week so special remains our top priority. The Hall will honor the Centennial Class of 2020 next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular Class of 2021, as part of a multi-day celebration of football with an atmosphere that will deliver for fans ‘Twice the Fun in ‘21.’”
In celebration of the NFL’s 100th anniversary, the Hall of Fame was set to induct 10 senior members in addition to the usual five modern-era players, coaches, and contributors. This year’s class was to feature Isaac Bruce, Troy Polamalu, Jimmy Johnson, and Steve Sabol, among others, as well as former Seahawks Steve Hutchinson and Edgerrin James.