Fans say they would feel safe at Lambeau
Empty-stands decision mostly backed, but some argue stadium is big, outdoors
GREEN BAY – Packers fans are disappointed the team declined to have fans at games during the remaining regular season, but they mostly support the decision.
“To err on the side of caution, especially when dealing with a potentially fatal disease, should be commended, not criticized,” said Michelle Wilkinson of Novato, California. “Personally, I would feel safer sitting outside at Lambeau Field watching the Packers play football than going to a grocery store.”
The Packers said this week they would not allow fans to watch games at Lambeau Field for the remainder of the regular season. A decision on whether fans would be allowed for playoff games will be made later.
The Packers said hospitalizations and deaths remain at high levels locally and across Wisconsin. The team consulted with Bellin Health and the Brown County Public Health Department in making the decision.
The Packers, who are 9-3 and have a three-game lead in the NFC North Division, have two home games remaining, Dec. 19 against Carolina and Dec. 27 against Tennessee. The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, the Packers’ remaining road opponents, have not allowed fans this year, either.
The NFL expanded the playoffs to 14 teams this season, adding one wild-card team in each conference. As a result, only the top seed in each conference will get a first-week bye.
“Personally, I would feel safer sitting outside at Lambeau Field watching the Packers play football than going to a grocery store.”
Michelle Wilkinson Packers fan in California
If the Packers were the top seed, they would have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which would mean two games at Lambeau, assuming they keep winning. If they are the second seed or third seed, they conceivably could host three home games at Lambeau.
“It was good to see no fans at first, but it is a big enough stadium and Packers fans are smart, we would wear masks,” said Bill Post of Essexville, Michigan. “Using the rental chairs and separating the people would work great. Also, remember it is outdoors. I’d drive the nine hours and my brother would do his three-hour trip from Chippewa Falls because going to Lambeau is special and whatever they do, they would make it safe.”
Among the protocols the Packers used to allow employees and their household family members to attend the previous two home games was wearing masks and social distancing created by installing chair-back seats on the Lambeau Field benches to designate where people could sit.
Andrew Larsen of Rockford, Illinois, was disappointed, but not surprised. Illinois has had more severe restrictions than Wisconsin throughout the pandemic.
“I wouldn’t be afraid to be outside at a game with limited fans, and under the conditions the Packers have set forth,” he said. “But they are responsible for whatever situation they create, and they don’t want it on their hands if things go badly. I understand that.”
Larsen said that if Lambeau is opened up for the playoffs, he’ll do everything in his power to be there.
“It pains me to watch the Packers on TV and see an empty Lambeau Field, knowing I need to be inside there cheering them on. When you yell and cheer at Lambeau, you’re the 12th man. When I do the same thing at home, I’m told that I’m crazy,” Larsen said.
While infection rates in Brown County improved recently, Green Bay has one of the highest rates of new positive COVID-19 cases among NFL host cities. The NFL Players Association tracks the 14day average per 100,000 population in NFL cities. Green Bay is fourth in the league. Of the top dozen teams, eight are in the AFC and four in the NFC. All four NFC teams are from the North Division, including the Minnesota Vikings, whose hometown ranks first.
At one point this season, 19 NFL teams were allowing fans at home games. That number is down to 13 now, according to the Packers. The NFL has said no COVID-19 outbreaks have been traced back to game attendance, but many communities have seen infection spikes.
The NFL rescheduled 18 games this year because of COVID-19 outbreaks, but none of them included the Packers.
Whether the Packers will allow fans for the playoffs, which begin in midJanuary, could depend on how people behave during Christmas and New Year’s and whether they participate in super-spreader gatherings.
“I feel like the Packers could definitely host more that 500 people as Lambeau is a stadium that can hold over 80,000 people,” said Andrew Vogel of DeLand, Florida. “Should it still be limited seating? I think so. Football is not the same without live fans and you can see it in the way teams play. Football will not be the same until there is a live fan base to watch the games.”