BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 7, 2020) - Amid the COVID-19 pandemic the North American Football Association (NAFA) has decided to move forward with the 2020 football season .
COVID-19 has slowed American society in all ways imaginable. The NAFA is going to start picking up society again with playing the 2020 football season. All teams are being given the option to opt out for the season if they so choose. The NAFA believes it can make this season happen safely and securely.
“Over the past three months our country as learned to live during a pandemic,” said commissioner of the NAFA Roger Goodell. “Now we are going to learn how to play football during a pandemic. America has been searching for something to look forward to since lockdown started and we wanted to the that something.”
There are many precautions in place going into this season. Athletes and coaches will be tested for COVID-19 three times a week, including on gameday. Any athlete or coach who tests positive will be required to sit out for 10 days following the last positive test until the test is negative.
Each team must wear masks entering, leaving and walking around in all facilities. Each team will be responsible for its own stadium precautions. However, the NAFA is following in line with CDC guidlines and is suggesting to keep seats in pods of two and four while being at least six feet apart from each other. The NAFA is also suggesting fans must wear masks at all times.
The Birmingham Bears are deciding to opt in for the 2020 season. The team is going to follow all CDC and NAFA guidelines. The Bears believe this can be done safely and that this season will bring a positive light during unprecedented times.
“The Bears is excited to participate in the 2020 season,” said owner of the Birmingham Bears, Luke Smith. “Considering all of the precautions, I believe this will be a safe season for the athletes and the fans. The Bears franchise has always been a spot of positivity for Birmingham and this year will be no different.”
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About the Birmingham Bears
The Birmingham Bears are a professional football team located in Birmingham, Alabama. The team competes as part of the North American Football Association in the Southern division. The Bears have been a member of the NAFA since 1966. The Bears have been playing their home games at Bears Stadium since the beginning. The team was first owned by Jackson “Bear” Smith, who the team is also named after. The team now is under the direction of Smith’s son, Luke Smith. The Bears employ 225 people on its staff, not including coaches and players. By competing in the NAFA, the Bears travel nation-wide for games throughout its seasons, but remain local to the south as they are in the Southern division. More information on the Bears can be found at birminghambears.com.
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