The COVID 19 pandemic has forced us all to change the way we live, and this includes the way we’re going to have to enjoy live sports for the foreseeable future.
That generic statement doesn’t do justice to how the pandemic will affect the City of Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers this season if we don’t take the right steps now.
Part of that process is taking place as we speak. This involves the league moving the team’s training camp from St. Norbert College to Lambeau Field. This includes everything. Practice, meetings, and meals with housing to be determined according to reports.
That decision can’t be taken lightly. It will be the first time since 1958.
And the whole league will likely be looking at fewer preseason games. Less football means less money. Everybody loses.
But these steps are necessary to have as much of a normal season as possible. They’re sacrifices.
And above all, it’s about keeping the team safe.
If the players aren’t safe and they believe their families might be at risk, then there won’t be any football at all.
And the truth is that there will likely be more changes. And they’re very unlikely to make the experience better for all of us.
Yes, every NFL market will be experiencing the same. But then again, every NFL market is not Green Bay.
The sacrifices will be felt especially hard here. But if it keeps the players safe and the games going, then we’ll be patient and we’ll be understanding.