‘Business as usual’ (for now) for fans at Hall of Fame ceremony, Steelers preseason game

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s museum re-opened to visitors Wednesday after a shutdown of more than 12 weeks. But will its marquee event weekend proceed as scheduled in August?

The answer — as things stand now, at least — is yes.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is moving forward with its schedule of events in early August,” the Canton, Ohio-based Hall of Fame’s vice president of communications, Rich Desrosiers, said in an emailed statement provided to the Tribune-Review.

The most prominent events scheduled are the preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 and the enshrinement ceremony Aug. 8. Each was expected to draw thousands of Western Pennsylvanians. The game is to feature the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys. Among those part of the 2020 induction class is former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

According to cbssports.com, more than 20,000 tickets were sold to the game and 10,000 for the ceremony.

The coronavirus pandemic, though, has reduced crowd sizes and necessitated social distancing over the past three months for any event other than a protest. While sports gradually are returning, most are doing so without fans in attendance — and the ones that are allowing fans are doing so at a significantly limited number.

The Hall of Fame — as of now — is hoping to be a pioneer in the complete “return to normalcy” of sports fans at events.

“One of the things we’re hoping for and that we’re willing to do is to almost be the test case for the NFL,” Desrosiers told CBSSports.com this week. “Give us the green light, and we’ll show folks how it can be done safely for fans, safely for participants and safely for the employees here. We feel very positive about the prospects of this happening in early August.”

“We stand ready to provide inspiration to fans eager to celebrate excellence,” - @PFHOFPrez.

The Hall is open once again for inspiration! pic.twitter.com/gXK7H2PM1s

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 10, 2020

Desrosiers confirmed to the Trib that “the Hall is preparing for ‘business as usual’ in August” — but with a handful of qualifiers.

“(Full complements of fans at the ceremony and game) is predicated, however, on the very real possibility that either the National Football League or the state of Ohio could make a decision that affects us and that timeline,” Desrosiers said in an email. “That is, if the NFL were to shorten its preseason or eliminate preseason games altogether, or the governor or state health director determines that crowds of any size cannot gather for an outdoor event, then the Hall would adjust its plans accordingly.”

For now, the museum is open but only to about a quarter of its capacity, per guidelines provided by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. The Hall made several health-related modifications to facilitate the museum’s opening.

Today we reopened for visitors after a nearly three-month closure as the entire nation locked down to slow the spread of a global pandemic. @PFHOFPrez welcomed the first guests who came to tour this morning. pic.twitter.com/4bXGuyZ5oR

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 10, 2020

Though casinos, amusement parks and water parks in Ohio can re-open June 19, the state has not made an announcement regarding sports stadiums and arenas.

“We see the state of Ohio opening up more and more on a weekly basis and remain encouraged that eight more weeks of progress against covid-19 can put our events in a good — and safe — place for everyone involved,” Desrosiers said. “The next couple of weeks, as we all watch for a possible uptick in covid-19 cases, will be a significant element in decisions our state leaders make, ultimately affecting all of us.”

In regards to the game, the Hall is dependent on the decrees of the NFL, which still must come to an agreement with its players about covid-19 protocols and possible schedule adjustments. The NFL Network reported Wednesday that the league and union are discussing shortening the preseason, which could put the Hall of Fame game in peril.

Desrosiers confirmed contents of the CBS report. It read that the Hall’s preference for a contingency does not involve a “virtual” ceremony. Bumping it back is more likely.

A one-time September induction was planned this year. In recognition of the NFL’s 100th anniversary, the “Centennial Class” includes two former Steelers: coach Bill Cowher and safety Donnie Shell. Desrosiers, though, indicated the Hall would prefer not to combine the two ceremonies.

The basketball and baseball halls of fame postponed enshrinements originally scheduled for August and June, respectively, until 2021.

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