Social distancing and the NFL: What will Sundays bring?

It was a headline maker, indeed.

A Superdome official said last week that one of their models for bringing fans back for Saints football includes one that has 13,000 in the stands.

It was a considered a “worse-case scenario.”

As leagues grapple with how to return fans to the games, I wonder just how effective social distancing guidelines will be.

Do you think that fans will social distance in the many pre-game tailgates around the stadium?

Once fans are inside, will social distancing be policed inside the stadium throughout the game?

Not trying to throw shade on anyone. Just asking.

Here might be a better plan.

Everyone inside during the game wears a mask.

Everyone, before they get inside has their temperature checked.

You either pass, or you fail.

And, at some point, by coming to the stadium on Sundays for NFL football, you accept responsibility for your own health.

You simply cannot expect the Superdome, or the NFL to be responsible.

If you are above a certain age, and you have a pre-existing condition, you accept the responsibility that attending a game may put you at risk.

If you buy a ticket, accept the fact that someone in a crowd of thousands may test positive for COVID-19.
As well intentioned as the folks who run the games are, the fact is they can only do so much.

If you don’t feel safe, stay home.

The folks who run the games also understand that the many well-intentioned ideas that are implemented can only go so far.

People will be people.

Each night, on the way home from work, I choose to get in my automobile and drive home. On west bound Interstate 10, other drivers fly by, some doing 90 miles per hour or more.

The speed limit says 60. It is only a number.

Many of those driving at excessive speeds are intoxicated.

There’s only so many dangerous drivers that can be pulled over by the Louisiana State Police.

At some point, fans will make a choice.

Do I go, or do I stay home?

And, the reality is there are only a handful of options.

Keep all of the fans out.

Or, at some point, with as much sanitizing that is possible, accept the risk, play the games, and move on.