The Cleveland Browns are planning to have fans in their stadium on Sunday despite a local stay-at-home advisory. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns officials expect to have up to 12,000 fans in FirstEnergry Stadium this weekend. The Browns will be hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at noon on Sunday.
There is currently a stay-at-home advisory for the City of Cleveland and greater Cuyahoga County. That order was issued on Wednesday. According to Pro Football Talk, a Cleveland Browns official says the team will “continue monitoring the situation” as the game draws closer.
“(The Team) will continue to monitor the circumstances and remain flexible,” the team officials says. “(We) plan to continue to safely host a limited number of fans.”
The Browns are one of the NFL’s surprise teams this season and will be entering the game with a 6-3 record as they fight for a playoff spot. The Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, have struggled mightily this season and will bring a 3-5-1 record into the game. Despite their struggles and a losing record, the Eagles remain in first place of the NFC East.
Browns Aren’t Only Team Allowing Fans into Stadiums
The Browns’ move to allow fans into their stands follows a trend of NFL teams disregarding COVID-19 safety suggestions. Just this week, Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones bragged that his team leads the league in attendance during the pandemic.
The Cowboys reportedly had over 30,000 fans in attendance at a recent home game against the Pittsburg Steelers.
Several fans took to social media both in support and opposition of the Browns’ decision to allow fans into the stadium.
People still smoke cigs even tho it’s says on the package it will give u cancer I think it’s ok to go to a football game
— Casey Tesch (@Tesch21) November 21, 2020
Why any sport is currently allowing fans absolutely blows my mind right now. Fans are not essential. When will we start taking this seriously? Health care system is breaking at the seams already in many places.
— Marc Fassano (@MarcFassano) November 21, 2020
