NFL fans react to COVID

By John DiLorenzo ‘24

The NFL is very much back and ready to crown a new champion. With new football season comes the fans. Except for this year, the fans will no longer be able to visit their teams and cheer them on at their stadium. 

No more tailgates before games, no more parties outside of the stadium. According to ESPN, only six teams are currently allowing any fans into their stadiums, due to COVID-19. So for the majority of the league, it’s couch time. However, that doesn’t mean that this year’s season will not be exciting for fans. 

Naveen Nallakrishnan, a ninth grader at Catlin Gabel School, is a Seattle Seahawks fan and shared his perspective on the NFL’s new guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NFL is doing a good job fining coaches and staff for not following the rules,” said Nallikrishnan. “Owners should be loyal to the fans. Rather than trading a fan favorite player away, they should do what makes the fans happy if they want to get more money from tickets.”

Nallakrishan also gave his opinion on the NFL’s diversity in management. 

“There can always be more diversity. The NFL needs to reflect its fans and players,” he said.  

Football is more than just a sport to Nallakrishnan who sees it as a community-builder. 

“Football brings a sense of community,” he said. “My brother and I live on different sides of the country and don’t get to see each other that often, and when I see him, we like to watch football as a family because it is something we can share.”

While the NFL season might look a bit different this year, the fans are devoted as ever. Even with the COVID-19 precautions, the fans and their communities look forward to having football back.