Tag: Masks

Falcons place S Chris Cooper on reserve/COVID-19 list

Another Atlanta Falcons player landed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list this weekend.

Another Atlanta Falcons player landed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list this weekend. The team announced on Sunday that safety Chris Cooper has joined DB Jamal Carter and FB Keith Smith on the league’s new roster designation.

On the bright side, Atlanta’s rookie safety Jaylinn Hawkins returned to the active roster, as reported by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure:

The Falcons also announced on Sunday that the team had signed veteran safety J.J. Wilcox. The former Cowboys starter was signed by Atlanta last season but went down with an ACL injury during training camp.

Wilcox can provide some good depth/insurance as starting SS Keanu Neal returns from a season-ending injury of his own in 2020.

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Report: NFL to recommend players wear face shields

The National Football League is doing everything possible to make the 2020 season a reality in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The National Football League is doing everything possible to make the 2020 season a reality in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

After cancelling the preseason on Wednesday, it was reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo that the league will recommend, but not require players to wear face shields.

The NFL has been working with Oakley to create a mask/shield that can protect players from spreading the virus without restricting them.

How realistic that goal is and whether or not the league will mandate some sort of face shield by the time the season starts remains to be seen.

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NFL requiring fans to wear masks to attend games this season

The Atlanta Falcons expect to allow anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 fans inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season, but those that do attend games will be required to wear face masks.

The Atlanta Falcons expect to allow anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 fans inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season, but those that do attend games will be required to wear face masks.

As mandated by the league, all 32 NFL teams will have mask requirements this season while the country attempts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Specifically how many people will be allowed into Falcons games has yet to be determined. Regardless of what happens, though, the only way there’s going to be a 2020 season is if we all put on the mask.

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Chiefs, NFL to require fans to wear masks at games in 2020

The NFL announced on Wednesday that all fans must wear masks if they’re to attend games.

The NFL has officially announced that there will be a league-wide mandate requiring fans attending games to wear masks in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NFL’s Vice President of Communications, Brian McCarthy, took to Twitter on Wednesday to give an official statement and share a photo of himself wearing a mask.

“For those wondering, yes, it is league-wide,” McCarthy wrote. “Fans at NFL games this season will be required to wear face coverings.”

The NFL already has rules in place, requiring players, coaches and staff to wear face masks except for when they interfere with specific athletic activities. Assuming fans will be allowed in games, they’ll be required to wear masks for the duration of their time at Arrowhead Stadium and other venues across the league.

The Chiefs recently announced their plan for stadium capacity and ticket sales during the 2020 NFL season. They fully intend and expect to have some fans allowed in Arrowhead Stadium for games as of the first week of July. How many fans exactly will be allowed in? That is still an unanswered question. The team also stated that all aspects of game day at Arrowhead Stadium were under review to finalize health and safety protocols for the season.

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This is just one of the many health and safety precautions the league will take to ensure the safety of their fans, stadium workers and others. The last thing they want to see is the virus spread through stadiums and fans during the course of the season.

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Packers urge fans to wear masks, socially distance in community

Jordan Love and the Packers are urging fans to wear masks in the community to help battle coronavirus.

The Green Bay Packers are urging fans of the team to wear masks and practice social distancing to help the community battle the coronavirus pandemic.

The Packers are already altering plans for the return of football this summer, including the announcement of no fans in attendance for training camp practices, the Family Night practice at Lambeau Field and all home preseason games, as the team attempts to navigate the waters created by the on-going pandemic.

“We ask our fans to help us in this effort by wearing masks and staying six feet away from non-family members when out in the community in the coming weeks,” Packers president Mark Murphy said in a statement released Wednesday.

The Packers are selling branded masks in the team’s pro shop.

On Tuesday, the Packers released a video of rookie quarterback Jordan Love urging fans to wear masks.

“COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon. It’s a tough opponent, but together, you and I are an even tougher team,” Love said. “Stay strong, play by the rules, and wear a mask, because safety and freedom take teamwork.”

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Broncos announce limited capacity, mask requirement for 2020 games

The Broncos announced Wednesday that fans will have to wear masks at Empower Field at Mile High this season.

The Denver Broncos announced in a memo to season ticket holders on Wednesday that capacity will be limited at Empower Field at Mile High this season. Fans who do not want to attend games because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be given refunds or credit toward their 2021 tickets.

Season ticket holders have until Aug. 14 — the day before the originally scheduled start of preseason — to opt-out of attending games this season. Fans who do attend games will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

The team has “also taken other proactive measures to increase the cleanliness of our stadium, adding cashless concession options, touchless bathroom fixtures, sanitation stations and the latest air purification technology,” according to part of the memo.

The memo makes it clear this season will be a unique one. The memo also makes it clear the team is still planning for a fall season. The end of the letter says, “We look forward to a successful — and safe — 2020 season.”

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Broncos personnel (besides players and coaches) will wear masks on sideline this season

Broncos personnel (besides players and coaches) will wear masks on the sideline during games this season.

As the NFL continues to plan a season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the league has revealed several protocols put in place in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

After games, players won’t be allowed to interact with opponents closer than six feet away — and jersey swaps won’t be allowed. While on the sideline during games, Broncos personnel (besides players and coaches) will have to wear masks, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Denver hasn’t announced yet if fans will have to wear masks to attend games but the Steelers have made a decision. If fans are allowed to attend games this year, fans in Pittsburgh will have to wear masks at Heinz Field, the Steelers announced.

The Ravens have announced that no more than 14,000 fans a week will attend games at their stadium this season. The Broncos have not yet announced any capacity limits for Empower Field at Mile High.

If games are played in Denver without fans, season ticket holders will receive refunds or credits for future games at the Broncos’ stadium.

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Sixers team up with NovaCare to donate 10,000 masks to communities

The Philadelphia 76ers will donate 10,000 masks to their community.

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to step up and make a difference in their community in the middle of a global pandemic. The organization is going to team up with NovaCare to provide 10,000 masks to communities in need in both the Philadelphia area and in Southern New Jersey.

Led by the Sixers Youth Foundation, the team has identified areas in need of masks such as Philabundance, the Camden County School District, Playworks, the Food Bank of South Jersey, and many more places. This is another example of the organization’s continued effort to protect and help those in the community where times are extremely tough right now.

The Sixers are getting ready to go to Orlando on Thursday to continue the 2019-20 season and they will be looking to bring home a championship to the City of Brotherly Love. During a time such as this one, it would be nice to spread some joy with the gift of a title to a loyal fan base. [lawrence-related id=34321,34335,34313]

Gators News: July 7, 2020

Continuing to delve deeper into the summer doldrums the ugly head of COVID-19 continues to pervade areas of our society, including sports. 

As we continue to delve deeper into the summer doldrums, the ugly head of COVID-19 continues to pervade all areas of our society, including sports.

For the time being, the powers that be have every intent on moving forward with a college football season this fall, but many are becoming more and more skeptical. Some believe that time is running out for the season to begin as scheduled and others just do not think the season is going to happen — not for a lack of trying, however.

Professional sports have also been struggling to get their protocols perfectly implemented as well as dealing with the “human factor” with some among the game who may not be reliable in complying with safety measures or may pose potential threats themselves. For Major League Baseball, once such example appears to be umpire Joe West.

However, alluding back to the earlier topic: if you want college football (or any sports), please wear your masks and practice social distancing. If we all work together as a team, we can get through this pandemic and have our sports again.

Around the Swamp

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

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WATCH: Michigan State athletic department gives tips to prevent COVID-19 spread

Tom Izzo, Bill Beekman, Mel Tucker and Suzy Merchant got together to make a video on tips to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further.

Despite some stop-and-start reopenings around the country, we are still very much in the midst of a global pandemic (perhaps best exemplified by the recent outbreak at Harper’s in East Lansing), and the Michigan State athletic department continues to do its part advocating for safety and the proper health guideline observance.

On Tuesday, the MSU athletic department dropped a video promoting different tips to keep you and your community safe from the spread of the coronavirus.

You can watch the video below, which features Tom Izzo, Mel Tucker, Suzy Merchant, and Bill Beekman:

Wear a mask and go green.

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