New Orleans Saints announce home opener to be played without fans
By Terry Kimble
The New Orleans Saints have announced that the much anticipated season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be played sans fans in the stands.
For the Who Dat faithful hoping to be in that number on September 13th in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, they will have to wait a little longer in order to cheer on their Saints in person, a sad reality.
The team announced on Wednesday that the season opener versus the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be played without fans present due to the current Covid-19 pandemic plaguing the world.
The statement released only specifically stated the first game being played without fans as the team remains optimistic there can still be a few home games for fans to attend in some capacity.
While this announcement definitely dampers the spirit of some wanting a chance to see a marquee match-up early in the year, the fact the NFL, for now, is moving forward with a season is room for optimism in itself.
The last few days have been sprinkled with decisions from the collegiate level on conferences deciding to postpone their football season until potentially the springtime.
During these unprecedented coronavirus times, tough decisions have had to be made regarding sports and player safety. The Saints have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of its players, coaching staff, and the medical team.
The Saints have created their own “bubble” of sorts as they are housing around 150 people within the organization in a downtown hotel during the training camp period. The hotel will only house Saints personnel as no outside guests will be allowed to stay there during this time.
The team has also been in constant constant communication with local and state officials about restrictions being placed or lifted as a result of the fluctuating confirmed cases.
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While the New Orleans Saints hold a huge home-field advantage when playing at home, that aspect will have to be put on hold. However, the Saints are taking the necessary steps to ensure there will be games played for fans to enjoy whether in person or watching from home.