How Cincinnati Bengals fans envisioned Joe Burrow joining the team via the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft was dramatically changed.
Now the attention shifts to whether fans will even be able to attend games at Paul Brown Stadium or elsewhere in 2020 as the NFL grapples with precautionary measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Washington Post‘s Mark Maske, the NFL is exploring contingencies that include empty-stadium games:
“I don’t know if it’ll be a one-third-filled stadium, a half-filled stadium or whatever,” said one of the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details of the league’s planning had not been made public. “The NFL is planning for everything from playing without fans to playing in full stadiums. We know there will be a push from the [federal] government to open things up.”
Outright changes to the schedule could also be in play, though the league plans to release its full schedule next month, with wiggle room for adjustments later.
Originally, Bengals fans had expected to see Burrow brought across the water on the Las Vegas strip to officially join the team after hearing his name called. Changes to the plan mean fans will instead get to see Burrow participate in the virtual draft next week.
While the NFL has so far escaped bigger ramifications afflicting leagues such as the NBA, we continue to march toward an NFL summer stretch of unknowns before the season itself.
If everything gets back to normal, a packed Paul Brown Stadium for the homecoming of the Ohio kid awaits. If not, such an idea might have to go on hold.
