In the age of COVID-19, social outings have been completely turned upside down and now that includes the upcoming NFL season too. As the Washington Football Team enters its 88th season, fans can expect some big changes to the usual game-day experience. Here is what you need to know.
Changes to Game Day
The Washington Football Team informed season ticket holders that they have the option to receive refunds, account credit or defer their tickets to the 2021 season if they do not feel comfortable attending games during the 2020 season.
If season ticket holders, or other fans, attend games this season, there will be a mandatory face covering safety measure in place on all FedExField property.
With guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), NFL and Prince George’s County health officials, the team will also implement additional safety checks around the stadium. According to the FedExField Safe page, this will include hand-sanitizer stations placed throughout the stadium, sanitation of “high-touch-point” areas and additional training for food prep workers and spaces.
The Hall of Fame Store in the stadium will also have new safety protocols in place. This includes a “no-contact” checkout process, shields installed at all registers and a limit on the number of customers allowed in the store at one time.
NFL Preseason Canceled
While players around the league reported to training camp this week, the NFL announced that all preseason games were to be canceled after pushback from the NFL Player Association.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a letter to fans saying, “The NFL in 2020 will not look like other years. Players and coaches will be tested for the virus regularly, including every day for a while. Preseason games have been canceled. Everyone in the team environment must follow rigorous health-and-safety protocols to keep themselves and each other safe.”
Player Updates
Defensive lineman Caleb Brantley has decided to opt out due to being in the high-risk health category. Neither the team or Brantley have released a statement about the decision. As of right now, Brantley is the only player from the organization who has decided to opt out this season.
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to let players opt out of the 2020 season voluntarily or due to being high-risk. As of today, July 29, 26 NFL players have decided to sit out the 2020 season.
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