By Canadian Press

NFL pre-season game at IG Field changed to 80-yard field due to conditions

Aug 22, 2019 | 8:52 PM

WINNIPEG — Concerns over the condition of IG Field in Winnipeg prompted the NFL to shorten the field for Thursday’s pre-season game between the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers.

The regular 100-yard NFL playing field was shortened to 80 yards. The end zones were marked with bright, orange pylons at the 10-yard lines.

“Tonight’s game is being played on a reconfigured field,” a statement from the NFL said. “The field met the mandatory practices for the maintenance of surfaces for NFL games based on an inspection yesterday.

“Concerns arose today surrounding the area where the (Winnipeg) Blue Bombers’ goal posts were previously located. The 10-yard line will function as the goal line at this game. In lieu of kickoffs, the ball will be placed at the 15-yard line.”

Promoter John Graham, president of On Ice Entertainment Ltd. that was in charge of the field conversion, told The Canadian Press in a text message that he’d “like to wait,” before making a comment.

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Blue Bombers president and CEO Wade Miller was unavailable for comment. The CFL club rented out the venue for the Week 3 exhibition game.

Before warmups, game officials and staff from both clubs were on the field examining the patches of turf that covered the spots where the goal posts for 110-yard CFL games were removed, which were in the playing surface of the NFL end zones.

The home field of the Bombers had been converted for the smaller NFL size, with new painted lines, goal posts located at the back of the new end zones and turf added all around the field to cover the regular asphalt.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur decided to sit 33 players, including many starters and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Oakland didn’t play starters such as quarterback Derek Carr or new receiver Antonio Brown.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press