Fans back in force at stadiums
Mix of masked, unmasked, vaccinated and unvaccinated
Tailgating, face-painted fans returned in full force at stadiums around the country as the NFL opened its doors to capacity for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.
Some wore masks, some didn’t. Some are vaccinated, some aren’t.
Restrictions varied in different cities with the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints the only teams requiring fans to provide proof of vaccination to enter.
The defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcomed 65,566 fans Thursday night to kick off the season, and 15 teams were set to host more than one million fans in Week 1.
Fans are back as COVID-19 surges because of the delta variant. President Joe Biden has a proposal to require that companies with more than 100 employees vaccinate their workforce, and he also will mandate shots for executive branch workers and federal contractors with no testing opt-out.
In Nashville, fans were tailgating in the usual spaces outside Nissan Stadium before the Titans hosted the Arizona Cardinals. No proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test were required of fans. Masks were only encouraged inside suites and other enclosed spaces but not required. The lone exception to that is postgame for reporters around players and coaches.
The field on opposite sides between the 15 and 5 featured the words “WELCOME BACK.”
Judy Maag of Hohenwald, Tennessee, had tickets for the 2020 season only to sell them when the pandemic hit. She has been coming to Titans games for the past five seasons and was racing to her seats in the upper deck Sunday.
“It feels great, and I hope we win,” Maag said.
In Buffalo, fans who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings at all times. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status when visiting the indoor settings at Highmark Stadium. Unvaccinated guests may remove their masks only when eating or drinking. Seating will not be designated by vaccination status.
The team sent a letter to ticket holders recommending they get through the gates earlier than normal, and that they were opening the gates at 11 a.m., a half hour early.
Outside the stadium, it was back to normal after fans weren’t allowed to attend Bills home games during the regular season last year, and only about 6,600 were allowed in for the playoffs. The private lots around the stadium were already filling up by 8 a.m.
Jeff Boyst made his annual trip from North Carolina to watch the Bills play the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I think it’s time to get back out in the public and take my chances. I’ve been vaccinated,” said Boyst, who was attending a tailgate party.