This year, on Feb. 7, one of the greatest sport events took place in Florida. The Super Bowl LV was played at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Only two days have passed since the kickoff, and we can’t wait for the next Super Bowl. There was a huge excitement and enthusiasm on who was going to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The atmosphere was contagious.
This time, the 55th edition of the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) took on several restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only finalist teams and staff, but fans also had to follow the mandatory protocols.
Although all 65,618 seats were not occupied, it was a great event that all of us could watch. Changes were made, but the excitement on and off the field remained the same.
A couple of weeks before the championship game, the NFL announced via their official website that, “Your health and safety, along with that of our players, coaches and staff is – and has always been – priority number one. As NFL fans, we’re all in this together when it comes to taking on the common opponent—COVID-19. Together we help protect each other– it takes all of us.”
This message on restrictions and protocols for the Super Bowl LV included physical distancing, distance between field and fans and the purchase of tickets.
As part of the purchasing ticket process, ticket holders had to confirm that they had not tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Ticket holders were expected to have no symptoms in the last 48 hours, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, repeated shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell.
Physical distancing was key. Fans were required to stay six feet apart inside and outside the Raymond Jay Stadium and hand sanitizers were placed and available in several parts of the stadium.Not only fans, but all people in the stadium, were also required to have a face mask on. Additionally, the closest seats to the field were closed off with the purpose of having space between fans and players.
These were the new restrictions for this year’s event, and although it is not the way we are used to celebrating such a sporting event, it was great to see fans in the Raymond James Stadium enjoying the Super Bowl. Once again, it was a magnificent event despite the protocols.
I hope everyone was able to witness such a game and that you enjoyed it either with friends or family. Let’s keep taking care of ourselves and we’ll see each other in the stands soon.
