the hall of fame game on sunday, august 9, was a kickoff to the 2009 season, which would have been the 50th season of play for the afl, if the nfl had not merged with it. wilson was officially inducted into the pro football hall of fame on saturday, august 8, 2009 with espn icon chris berman acting as his "presenter". wilson was scheduled to receive his hall of fame ring in a halftime ceremony during the bills game against the cleveland browns on october 11, 2009. however, wilson cancelled the event at the last moment, without notifying the press or fans, and no explanation was given. it was widely speculated that wilson cancelled the event out of fear of being booed by bills fans for the team's chronic poor performance on the field and a series of highly unpopular managerial decisions. he was eventually presented with the ring on november 1.