Welcome back! The NFL told clubs on a call today it expects fans to return to training camp this summer, subject to state and local guidelines, according to the league's executive VP of club business and league events, Peter O’Reilly.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 25, 2021
The NFL announced on Tuesday that it expects fans to return to training camps this summer, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He noted that allowing fans will be subject to state and local guidelines. Pennsylvania is lifting capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events on Memorial Day.
This should signal no restrictions at Steelers training camp. If fans can return this summer, Art Rooney II wants it to be back at St. Vincent College, but that’s still up in the air.
“That’s what we’re planning for, but unfortunately, there still are some issues we’ve got to iron out, and some of them have to do with the Players Association and discussions about training camp and COVID protocols and all of that,” Rooney told Bob Labriola of Steelers.com.
“If we can’t have fans, I’m not sure we would go to training camp up there,” Rooney added. “That’s certainly a big part of it – to be there with our fans. Our fans love being up there. There are great facilities up there, and it’s a great place for training camp for the players from a football perspective. But without the fans, I’m not sure what we would do. We’ll be looking at whether there are more restrictions on fans’ ability to gather at that point.”
Last summer, the league announced teams would need to remain at their club’s on-site facilities for camp due to COVID-19 concerns. Of course, fans were not permitted to attend.
Crossing our fingers that a full capacity training camp in Latrobe is announced soon!
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