By Riley Kate Higgins, Sports Editor
With the pandemic keeping fans from the stands league-wide, the NFL is in for a wacky season, but that hasn’t stopped Titans fans’ excitement and optimism for this year.
With COVID-19 in the foreground this year, the 2020 NFL football season is already looking different for the Titans. The first home game of the year against the Jacksonville Jaguars was held with no fans inside Nissan Stadium. Currently, the Titans plan to open up the stands to 7,000 season ticket holders for the game on October 4th. The number of fans will increase to 8,600 fans and then to 10,400 the next week.
“It’s going to be hard for non-season ticket holders to get into the game,” Mr. Womack said. “I think the first home game is already sold out.”
Hoping to reach a fixed capacity of 14,500 fans for the remaining games, Nissan will be set up with a socially distant model. Fans will be encouraged to arrive early and without bags to avoid crowds at entry gates, and they will be required to wear a mask.
“I love watching my favorite college players improve in the NFL,” avid Titans fan and sophomore Alice Wilbanks said. “I am sad that I will not have much of a chance to go to any games this year, but I understand the decision was made to continue play and to keep fans safe.”
Many fans are continuing football season traditions like History teacher and passionate Bills fan Adam Wilsman’s running bet with Latin teacher and Titans fan Robert Womack about the records of both teams at the end of the season.
“I’m so glad that I don’t have to root for a losing team like Dr. Wilsman’s Bills,” Mr. Womack said while wearing his “Give the ball to Derek Henry” mask.
Despite the changes, the Titans have started off 3-0 with wins in Denver, against the Jaguars, and at the Vikings. Although working through uncertainty and risk, the Titans are off to a great start in their quest for Super Bowl LV, and their fans in the Harpeth Hall community are very optimistic for the rest of the season.
