Thursday was a big day for NFL fans as the preseason got officially underway, with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears squaring off in the Hall of Fame Game. It also served as an annual reminder of one of the Hall of Fame Game’s most consistent issues — the playing surface.
Players had difficulty gaining traction on the field at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Never was that more apparent than during a kickoff return in the second quarter.
Houston return man Steven Sims was several yards away from any person and did not seem to be doing anything more than running straight ahead. Still, he fell to the ground.
While that was the most notable example, players struggling to maintain their footing was a constant talking point during the game.
Tons of players slipping on this turf.
— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) August 2, 2024
This turf making some very athletic folks look very unathletic
— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) August 2, 2024
Fortunately, the 2024 game was not as bad as we’ve seen previously. Despite that, it’s unfortunate that this continues as such a lingering issue at a game that’s long been an annual tradition.