Florida State University Football Game Draws Criticism After Large Crowds, No Masks Photographed
Professional sports and major events have all lost their live audiences at events due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a crowd attending a Florida State University football game against Georgia Tech on Saturday has led to major criticism over the school’s policy regarding the capacity of fans that can be present in the stadium.
The school, located in Tallahassee, announced in August that they would be limiting attendance for home games at Doak Campbell Stadium to a 20-25% capacity this season. The stadium, where the D1 Seminole play, can hold up to 80,000 people, putting max capacity at16,000-20,000 people.
Naturally, as photos surfaced of the game, showing those numbers in attendance, many expressed outrage that it was allowed to happen, stating it would have a negative effect in just a few weeks because of a likely increase in COVID-19 cases.
Georgia Tech-Florida State football game now delayed due to lightning.
— Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) September 12, 2020
Uh, number of deaths in Florida due to lightning last year? 345.
Number of (reported) deaths in Florida due to COVID-19 this year - 12,500.
So you all pay sooo much money to go to a college like Florida state and are still that dumb by going to a game during a pandemic that is caused by groups pic.twitter.com/6wh68xRG4U
— emily :) (@Ewobbuffet) September 12, 2020
Florida State’s limited “coronavirus” crowd is the same size as the last two seasons.
— SP (@StaceyPaige27) September 12, 2020
A LOT of fans at the Florida state game against Georgia tech. Uhhhhh.... pic.twitter.com/JJ4SphrOkb
— Tim Del Monaco🍥 (@legendofthetim) September 12, 2020
Others pointed out that distancing didn’t appear to be happening, despite the number of people able to attend the game being greatly reduced in comparison to normal. They also noted a lack of mask-wearing.
If you guys want a laugh turn on the Florida State game and see the fans with no masks all together
— Matt2Harrington (@Matt2Harrington) September 12, 2020
It would be very Florida state to have a good team finally but lose the season because they let to many people in with no distancing and poor mask compliance.
— JQ double Doodle owner (@JQ_RD) September 12, 2020
Judging by the number of people that I see in the stands at the Florida State game without masks, they’re sending a clear message that they don’t really want the college football season to continue. pic.twitter.com/lhvPRyt6TR
— I’m a Master of None, anymore question? (@english_shamar) September 12, 2020
The Florida State game has more people on the field with masks than off
— Marisa Tomayonnaise (@JamesPontillo77) September 12, 2020
Concerns also arose as a lightning storm forced a delay—meaning people would be grouped together in close quarters for safety from the weather—but not the virus.
Florida State's stadium has 19,000 people "distancing" during this game. If there is a lightning delay they will all have to simultaneously funnel into the exits. There will be no distancing if that happens.
— Patrick Barron (@BlueBarronPhoto) September 12, 2020
However, some still felt that seeing crowds in attendance was a wonderful thing, and praised the school for letting a sense of normalcy back into lives.
Thank you Florida State for having a giant stadium full of fans!
— Robert Choboy (@RobbyChoboy) September 12, 2020
Despite two weather delays, Florida State still has a pretty decent crowd.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) September 12, 2020
Great to see fans in the stadium and some semblance of normalcy. pic.twitter.com/eyPBH31xrZ
While Florida State isn’t the only stadium allowing fans, not all Division I teams are following suit—with some completely forgoing their seasons altogether. The Big Ten—which consists of the University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University and University of Wisconsin-Madison—canceled all games.
![Clemson Football Memorial Stadium](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/3023222/clemson-football-memorial-stadium.jpg?w=736&f=4b73fd836bbda3f7944d601bbd1474e3)
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