Foot US: A Super Bowl apart, Covid requires
Fans walking in the Super Bowl Experience, before the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
REUTERS - EVE EDELHEIT
Text by: Loïc Pialat Follow
4 min
On February 7, 2021, 100 million Americans will have their eyes on the Super Bowl, the grand finale of the American football championship.
The indestructible Tom Brady at the head of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers challenges the defending champions, the Chiefs of Kansas City, led by the prodigy Patrick Mahomes.
The event traditionally brings together tens of thousands of fans.
It takes place in Tampa, Florida, a state that has recorded 27,000 deaths from Covid and 1.7 million cases.
Containment measures are among the least strict in the country.
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Don Crisman is part of a very exclusive club.
That of spectators who have never missed a Super Bowl.
And no doubt, this one is different from the previous 54.
"
Ah it's very different
," he says.
With my comrades, we are seated in the same section but eight rows apart.
We are always together usually.
And then wearing a mask to a game, I had never done that before.
If we come out in good health, that's fine with me
”.
His daughter Sue accompanies him.
Not necessarily delighted that he made the trip to Tampa, at 84.
"
Yes, I was worried, that's clear
," she slips.
But I had to support him when he decided to come.
I felt much better when he received his first dose of the vaccine.
Relieved.
I don't know if I could have stopped him from coming anyway
(laughs) ”.
22,000 people, including 7,500 healthcare workers, have tickets to the game.
That's a third of the stadium's capacity, but it's also 22,000 more people than most venues across the country.
In a less strict setting, in Florida
Since the start of the pandemic, Florida has imposed looser restrictions than elsewhere.
Originally from Texas, Christian visits Tampa with his sister Abby.
"
It's a matter of politics as often
," says Christian.
Florida is a Republican, conservative state and on these questions things will be less strict, a little more open
”.
“
It's a lot more relaxed than up north
,” Abby adds.
This is not why we came but it is one of the advantages.
You spend more time outdoors and suddenly you don't have to wear the mask so much
”.
The NFL, however, had to reduce attendance at its traditional Super Bowl Experience.
Entertainment for those who do not have access to the stadium.
To enter, you have to book, fill out a health form via an app and of course wear a mask.
Volunteers are responsible for recalling him, a sign in hand.
Along the Hillsborough River, thousands of people can admire the Super Bowl trophy, pose in front of the helmets of 32 League teams or, like Eric, think of themselves as a quarterback.
“
You have to throw the ball over a player to send it into the basket
,” he explains.
I succeeded on the first basket, it's nice.
It's a cool experience and it's free for everyone.
It gives the opportunity to do things we don't have the opportunity to.
That's what I'm here for.
Normally there would be 10 times more people.
There, I would be worried
”.
A big shortfall
There will be ten times fewer people than for a normal Super Bowl.
For Miles McConnell, manager of a restaurant by the water, this is also better than nothing.
“
A normal year, it would be a week of Super Bowl festivities, maybe even 10 days
,” he says.
There, it's more of a Super Bowl weekend.
And again, the Kansas City team arrived late.
Not all of their fans.
The big change is that earlier in the week, we would have had events organized by companies, business trips.
This money will be lacking
”.
Last year, it was estimated that the Super Bowl in Miami injected $ 570 million into the local economy.
This year's figures will be a long way from this result.
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