NFL: Winnipeg field fiasco nothing short of a ‘disappointment’
WINNIPEG— The premier of Manitoba says “there’s a lot of disappointment” in the province after a controversial NFL preseason game at IG Field on Thursday night.
During a campaign stop Friday, Progressive Conservative leader Brian Pallister was asked about the Oakland Raiders-Green Bay Packers game, which was played on a shortened 80-yard field due to the NFL’s concerns about the turf in the end zones.
“I would remind people to remember that the organizers tried to do something that hadn’t been done before so let’s give them respect and credit for trying,” Pallister said. “I would rather see a person try and fail then see somebody who had never tried. Yeah, it didn’t work out the way they wanted, and I’m sympathetic to the fans who felt disappointed obviously but not being a provincial responsibility I’ll limit my comments to that.”
Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew said he noticed plenty of fans of both teams downtown, but acknowledged there were issues with the event.
“I think there was a lot of buzz, it’s just that I guess because of a few fumbles here and there with the field and a lot of fans being disappointed (Packers star quarterback) Aaron Rodgers didn’t start, this game didn’t end up being the touchdown it could have been,” he said.
Minutes before the opening play, The Packers said they would not dress 33 players, including Rodgers. The Raiders also held out most of their starters, including quarterback Derek Carr and marquee receiver Antonio Brown, for the Week 3 pre-season contest.
Announced attendance was 21,992 at 33,000-seat IG Field. The Raiders were the home team. Canadian-based On Ice Entertainment Ltd. staged the game and was the promoter.