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The coronavirus pandemic has definitely damped the spirits of many, and has impacted the lives of more than a few. Whether it was a lost job, or a major event which was scheduled to happen, lives have been thrown through the spin cycle as the world tries to get back to its feet amidst the COVID-19 era.
It is hard to believe, but for the NFL this was supposed to be a very excited, and celebratory, weekend.
Thursday was when the Steelers and Cowboys were scheduled to face off against one another, kicking off the 2020 preseason, in the annual Hall of Fame game. What happened after that was a weekend filled with parades, pageantry and the donning of gold jackets to those being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.
Former Head Coach of the Steelers, Bill Cowher, took to Twitter to reflect on what this weekend was supposed to mean for him and his family.
I never liked to talk about hypotheticals...BUT...tonight would have been the Hall of Fame Game pitting Pittsburgh against Dallas, to start an epic weekend! Oh well, but then again they say the ANTICIPATION is the greatest joy of all!! See you next year @ProFootballHOF!
— Bill Cowher (@CowherCBS) August 6, 2020
This wasn’t just supposed to be a big weekend for Cowher, but also for the entire Steelers family. Not only was the current team playing in the annual Hall of Fame game, but both Donnie Shell and Troy Polamalu were also slated to be inducted this summer as well.
Cowher and Shell were both selected as part of the league’s centennial class, but Polamalu was going to headline the events as he was inducted as a first ballot hall of famer.
Throughout this summer there were multiple reports swirling around the Hall of Fame game, as well as the entire weekend of events. The Hall of Fame stated they were preparing to not just have the event, but have fans in seats. Shortly after those reports circulated the NFL landscape, Ohio governor Mike DeWine reiterated how large gatherings were not expected to be released by the time the game/events were to take place.
Here we are, facing an NFL season with no preseason and a Hall of Fame class who has to wait an entire year to be enshrined. Welcome to the year 2020.
Cowher understands, but can’t help but wondering what this weekend would look like for not just him, but Steelers Nation.
We feel the same way.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they continue to roll through Training Camp at Heinz Field.