9:15 AM PT -- It's official -- the Hall of Fame's 2020 induction has been pushed back a year ... with the folks in Canton announcing the ceremony will take place during Enshrinement Week in August 5-9, 2021.
The HOF says the 2020 class will be honored in a ceremony separate from the Class of 2021 ... which will most likely feature Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson and Charles Woodson.
"The health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and volunteers who make Enshrinement Week so special remains our top priority," David Baker, HOF CEO said in a statement.
"The Hall will honor the Centennial Class of 2020 next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular Class of 2021, as part of a multi-day celebration of football with an atmosphere that will deliver for fans 'Twice the Fun in ’21.'"
Coronavirus concerns have officially pushed back the start of the NFL season.
League sources told multiple media outlets Thursday the Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers pre-season Hall of Fame Game slated for Aug. 6 has been nixed over COVID-19 fears.
The NFL has also decided to kick the 2020 Hall of Fame class' enshrinement ceremony -- which included Troy Polamalu and Edgerrin James -- to next summer as well.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the scheduled Cowboys vs. Steelers game is expected to now become the 2021 Hall of Fame Game's iteration.
It's a big bummer for The Shield ... this is the first real loss the league has had to take over the global pandemic.
Remember, the NFL refused to postpone its April draft -- which went off without a hitch -- and it successfully forced all of its teams to hold offseason workouts virtually.
Teams' training camps, which were set to open July 22 for the Cowboys and Steelers due to the HOF Game, will now all open July 28 ... if coronavirus allows it.
The regular season is still scheduled to begin on Sept. 10 ... for now.
Originally Published -- 6:01 AM PT