“Eagles fans won’t be allowed to attend home games this season,” but the Super Steelers still hope to have fans in their seats at Heinz Field

Will the Philadelphia Eagles seats be as empty as this in September?
Photo: Philadelphia Inquirer

… though Philadelphia backed off a little a day later

Nobody knows for certain if football will take place in America this fall, but many still hold out hope for that to take place. 

For instance, in Pennsylvania, the city of Philadelphia announced Tuesday that their beloved Eagles, who won their first Super Bowl just a few years ago, would be able to play games this season at Lincoln Financial Field. 

However, their approval came with a proviso,

Philadelphia officials said Tuesday that fans would not be allowed to attend professional sports games — meaning the Eagles will not have spectators at any home games in 2020.

Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said the coronavirus safety protocols for the major sports leagues “look pretty good,” but it would not be safe to have people in the stands.

“I do think that games can be played with the kind of safety precautions that they’re proposing. I do not think that they can have spectators at those games. There’s no way for them to be safe having a crowd there,” Farley said. “I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a safety perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds.”

Justine McDaniel, Sean Collins Walsh and E.J. Smith, “Eagles fans won’t be allowed 
to attend home games this season, per city officials,” Inquirer, July 14, 2020

The city backed off a day later and said that it is still conceivable that fans may be able to attend games, but it is not likely. 

Meanwhile, across the state

The Pittsburgh Steelers, the pride of Western Pennsylvania who have six Super Bowl rings, have a city that is a little more gracious than Philadelphia. Or so it seems right now. 

Last week, the Steelers announced that they will allow fans at their games this year, though they would have to wear masks. 

Somehow, having fans at a Steelers game wearing masks seems incongruous, but such is the world during the pandemic of Covid-19, one that we will not soon forget,

The Steelers say they will require masks if fans are allowed at Heinz Field this season …

The Steelers announced they still hope to allow fans into the stadium this season.
“We anticipate that we will be working with a reduced capacity scenario,” the Steelers said.

If they do, fans will have to wear a mask.

“Our goal is to still have fans at Heinz Field this year with the understanding that social distancing, as well as all fans being required to wear masks, will play a role in the capacity to ensure a safe atmosphere,” said Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten in a statement. “We will continue to work with the NFL and public health officials to finalize plans for fans to attend our home games.”

“Pittsburgh Steelers Will Require Masks For 2020 Season If Fans 
Are Allowed At Heinz Field,” KDKA-TV, July 8, 2020

The Steelers are preparing for a stadium with fans but who have social distancing between them, which would mean every other seat, I would presume. 

What really will happen?

The truth is that no one knows exactly what will transpire this fall with NFL football, college football, high school football, or any other sports. More on the college scene later, but for now, the Eagles will have no fans nor will the Philadelphia Phillies.

More than that, this is certainly a crap shoot. 

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