Steelers President Art Rooney II believes there is a "pretty good chance" the team will play in the HOF Game this August in Canton, according to Brian Batko of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. The team is a "logical candidate to kick off the NFL preseason" on Aug. 6 due to former coach Bill Cowher's "induction in the centennial class" of the Pro Football HOF. Additionally, former Steelers Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca and Donnie Shell are finalists for the regular '20 HOF class. Rooney, during an appearance on ESPN Radio 970 Pittsburgh, said, "It's not something the coaches and the players love to see, having an extra preseason game, but I think it will be a fun weekend in Canton if things go the way we hope they go over the next few days and weeks." Meanwhile, Rooney said there has been "no word" on whether the team could appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this preseason. Rooney: "It seems like it's getting a lot of attention here, and it's one of those things that if we have to do it, we'll grin and bear it" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/14).
