KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs are putting in place new policies for fans during games at Arrowhead Stadium with regard to Native American imagery.
Among the changes: Fans are prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium. Face painting that is styled in a way as to imitate Native American cultures and traditions is also prohibited.
The Chiefs also said they would look into making changes to two favorite Arrowhead traditions among their fans: the Arrowhead Chop and the pregame beating of a drum, often by a former player or coach or other local celebrity.
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“In 2014, we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “As an organization, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area.
“We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”
The Chiefs said this week they planned to have fans at their home games, at least early in the season. They said they would cap attendance for those games at 22 percent of Arrowhead’s capacity, which they listed last year at 72,936.
That would mean about 16,000 fans would attend their early-season games, including the NFL’s Sept. 10 opener matching the Chiefs and the Houston Texans.
Two former LSU students say they were raped by former Washington Football Team running back Derrius Guice in 2016, when he was a freshman at the school, according to a report in USA Today.
The women told USA Today that Guice assaulted them in their own apartments following nights of heavy drinking.
The women said they shared their allegations with multiple people at LSU, including at least two coaches, an athletics administrator and a nurse. The women said the school failed to investigate and didn’t interview them or potential witnesses.
The NFL team released Guice on Aug. 7, two hours after he was arrested on three separate domestic violence charges in Virginia.
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“At no time were allegations of physical or sexual assault brought against Derrius during his years as a student athlete at LSU,” Guice’s attorney, Peter D. Greenspun, said in his statement given to USA Today. “To bring up such assertions only after the Virginia charges were initiated certainly calls into question the credibility, nature and timing of what is being alleged years later.”
Neither woman reported the incidents to law enforcement, according to the report.
“LSU and LSU Athletics take all accusations of sexual assault with the utmost seriousness,” the school said in a statement to ESPN. “Formal complaints are promptly and fully investigated and the rights and privacy of students are protected as stipulated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Complainants are also strongly encouraged to report the offense to law enforcement and are provided information on health care, counseling and supportive measures available.”
Guice, who was expected to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, was selected by Washington in the second round (59th pick). He denied he was involved in a pre-draft altercation during a visit with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Guice tore his ACL in his left knee during the 2018 preseason and didn’t make his pro debut until 2019. He had 42 rushes for 245 yards and two touchdowns last season.
At LSU, Guice rushed for 3,074 yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons. He had three career 250-yard games, the most by any player in SEC history.
Guice, 23, is scheduled to be arraigned on the domestic violence charges on Aug. 28 in Loudoun County District Court.
With training camps open, NFL fans across the country are wondering whether they will be able to attend games once the 2020 season starts.
The answer is it depends on where and when. Guidelines vary from state to state regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Some teams have announced they will proceed with limited capacities, while others have said they will progress with no fans.
For many, it’s still wait and see. We asked each of our reporters to check with team officials to see where things currently stand. Here is what they were told, and updates as of Aug. 18 have been made to teams, including New England, Atlanta, Chicago, Tennessee, Kansas City, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, Green Bay, New Orleans and Washington:
Jump to: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Stadium: Orchard Park Stadium
Capacity: 71,608
What we know: New York State issued a guideline last month prohibiting fans not only from attending live sporting events but also from tailgating around the stadium. The Bills have given season-ticket holders the option to suspend their commitment until the 2021 season but are ready to offer priority seating to season-ticket holders who maintain their commitment, in the event limited seating is allowed. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
What we know: The Dolphins haven’t officially decided whether they will have fans in the stadium and at what capacity. That information will come in the weeks ahead in consultation with health experts and government officials. In early May, Dolphins CEO and vice chairman Tom Garfinkel released a mock-up for Hard Rock Stadium to hold approximately 15,000 fans with social distancing, masks, touchless entry and cashless payment methods. The Dolphins say when a capacity is determined, season-ticket members will have first priority to purchase tickets based on their tenure. The team is also giving all season-ticket members the option to roll their 2020 payments into the 2021 season and retain all of their tenure, seats and associated benefits. They also strongly encouraged any season-ticket members who may be considered at risk based on CDC guidelines to exercise the 2021 option and stay at home in 2020. — Cameron Wolfe
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Capacity: 66,829
What we know: The Patriots will not have fans at regular-season games through at least September, which accounts for the home opener against the Dolphins (Sept. 13) and a game against the Raiders two weeks later (Sept. 27). Officials are hopeful to possibly have fans later in the season, pending local and state approval. — Mike Reiss
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Capacity: 82,500
What we know: No fans are permitted to watch the Jets at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced recently in conjunction with the Jets and Giants. They said the order is in place “until further notice,” leaving some wiggle room. — Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium
Capacity: 71,008
What we know: The Ravens revised their plan, submitting a proposal to state and city government officials that would allow 7,500 fans to attend home games. This differs with the original idea of hosting 14,000 at the 71,008-seat M&T Bank Stadium. A final decision is not expected for several weeks. — Jamison Hensley
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
Capacity: 65,515
What we know: In July, the Bengals told season-ticket holders that Paul Brown Stadium will have “greatly reduced” seating if the team is allowed to have fans this season. In that scenario, those with season tickets will be reseated to comply with physical distancing. Face coverings will be required and tailgating prohibited. Fans can choose to opt out of attending 2020 games and keep their season tickets for 2021. — Ben Baby
Stadium: FirstEnergy Stadium
Capacity: 67,895
What we know: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently said it’s “too early” to determine what will be safe regarding fans in the Buckeye State. Ohio State announced it will cap fan capacity at 20,000 at Ohio Stadium. The Browns, however, continue to call the situation fluid. — Jake Trotter
Stadium: Heinz Field
Capacity: 68,400
What we know: The Steelers are planning to have a limited number of fans at Heinz Field, but that reduced capacity hasn’t been determined yet. Fans who purchased single-game tickets to games this season through Ticketmaster and other third-party websites were recently informed their transactions had been canceled and refunded, leaving season-ticket holders with the best chance of seeing a game in-person at Heinz Field this year. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Stadium: NRG Stadium
Capacity: 72,220
What we know: The Texans announced they will not have fans at NRG Stadium for the home opener on Sept. 20 against Baltimore, and that “whether fans can attend other home games later in the season will depend on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the greater Houston area, which is currently at the highest threat level (RED).” By not having fans in the stadium in the month of September, the Texans hope they can focus on refining “the safety and operational protocols required to host fans at NRG Stadium.” — Sarah Barshop
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
Capacity: 67,000
What we know: The Colts have announced that they will have no more than about 25% capacity during games at Lucas Oil Stadium. They have two packages — Plan A and Plan B — for fans to choose from. Plan A features home games against Minnesota, Baltimore, Houston and Tennessee. Plan B will include home games against the New York Jets, Cincinnati, Green Bay and Jacksonville. — Mike Wells
Stadium: TIAA Bank Field
Capacity: 67,164
What we know: The Jaguars told season-ticket holders they will be able to seat approximately 25% of TIAA Bank Field’s capacity at each home game in 2020. The stadium holds 67,164, so the capacity will be 16,791. The team said any possible increase in capacity will depend on developments regarding the coronavirus as well as any local, state or federal instructions. — Mike DiRocco
Stadium: Nissan Stadium
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Capacity: 69,143
What we know: The Titans’ home opener in Week 2 against the Jaguars on Sept. 20 will not have fans, Nashville mayor John Cooper decided on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The next home game will be two weeks later on Oct. 4 when the Titans host the Steelers, and the decision on whether to permit fans into the stadium for that game has not been decided. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High
Capacity: 76,125
What we know: Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said this past week that no decision had been made if the Broncos would have a limited number of fans at their home games or no fans, but that the decision would be made in conjunction with both local and state officials. Ellis said: “They’re proceeding with caution and so are we. We want to do the right thing. I don’t have a set number of fans for you nor do I know when fans will be in the stands. We’re going to work through that. We’re going to do that in partnership with the governor and the mayor, the City of Denver.” Ellis added the team would continue to be in contact with city and state governments, and how neighboring states are contending with the virus could impact the decision. — Jeff Legwold
Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
Capacity: 76,416
What we know: The Chiefs, who previously announced they planned to sell tickets for home games, said they would have about 16,000 fans in attendance for the Sept. 10 season opener against the Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs announced Monday they would limit attendance for early-season games to 22% of stadium capacity. They listed Arrowhead’s attendance last year at 72,936, which would mean at 22% capacity they would sell 16,046 tickets. The Chiefs said they would adjust attendance at home games later in the season depending on conditions. — Adam Teicher
Don’t expect to see any scenes like this around the NFL: Even if some teams have limited attendance, the first eight rows at every stadium will be covered by tarps for social-distancing purposes from players. AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
Capacity: 65,000
What we know: Raiders owner Mark Davis followed through on an earlier feeling by emailing Raiders season-ticket holders on Monday to tell them that fans will not be allowed at home games this season. He also said earlier that if no fans could attend home games, neither would he. It is a unique situation for the Raiders, who have moved into a sparkling new 65,000-seat, $1.9 billion palace off the Las Vegas Strip. But because the NFL wants the first eight rows of seats from the field blocked off to create more social distancing from players on the sideline (and to create advertising revenue via tarps covering said seats), Davis is nonplussed. “The optics are terrible; advertising on top of seats belonging to people you’re telling they can’t come to the game,” said Davis, who added that his idea of installing a Plexiglas barrier between the first row of seats and the field rather than blocking off seats was never discussed. “I’d rather have everybody pissed at me than just one person. I’ve got to make it up to them, and I will. This is all about safety and equity.” — Paul Gutierrez
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 72,240
What we know: The Chargers have not officially announced capacity restrictions, but they expect theirs to be similar if not the same as the Rams’, as the teams share SoFi Stadium. Capacity limitations have not been finalized, but expect a cap of 15,000 fans or the possibility that the stadium will be empty in its debut season. — Lindsey Thiry
NFC EAST
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Capacity: 66,655
What we know: The Vikings have not announced a specific attendance figure for home games but acknowledged that games will be played at “a significantly reduced capacity and include a different in-stadium experience.” If games are indeed played in U.S. Bank Stadium at a limited capacity, the priority will be given to stadium builders license owners. Season-ticket holders have the chance to opt out of their season tickets by requesting a full refund for the 2020 season or have their accounts credited toward a 2021 season-ticket package. There is also the option for fans to keep their tickets and if games are canceled or reduced capacity is implemented: “A credit for the portion of your paid 2020 season tickets applicable to the missed game(s) will automatically be applied to your account, unless you request a full refund for the missed 2020 game(s).” — Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Capacity: 71,000
What we know: The Falcons originally planned to host between 10,000 to 20,000 fans at Mercedes Benz-Stadium for regular-season games in 2020. That plan changed when the team decided to go with no fans for September, including the Sept. 13 season opener against Seattle and the Sept. 27 matchup with the Bears in Week 3. The Falcons also won’t have fans at their Week 4 road contest with Green Bay Oct. 5, an ESPN Monday Night Football clash. — Vaughn McClure
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Capacity: 75,523
What we know: The team has made no official statement, but owner David Tepper has said publicly that he believes fans should be in the stands this season. There have been discussions of about 20,000 fans in the 75,000 seat stadium. PSL owners already have been sent a letter saying they will have the option to purchase tickets, but they can opt out without losing their PSL. — David Newton
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Capacity: 73,208
What we know: The Saints announced on Aug. 12 that they will have no fans in the Superdome for their first home game against Tampa Bay in Week 1 and that it appears “unlikely” they will have fans for their second home game against Green Bay in Week 3. The Saints will be prepared in case changes are made as they continue to work and communicate with government officials and health and safety experts. — Mike Triplett
Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
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NFC WEST
Stadium: State Farm Stadium
Capacity: 63,400
What we know: In an email telling season-ticket holders that their ticket plans will be canceled for the 2020 season, the Cardinals said “it is not clear at this point how many spectators — if any — will be permitted to attend Cardinals home games in 2020.” Until that is decided, which may not be until the eleventh hour because of Arizona’s high rates, the Cardinals have yet to publicly announce any plans. — Josh Weinfuss
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 72,240
What we know: The Rams announced that the capacity at SoFi Stadium will be capped at 15,000 fans this season, and the possibility remains that no fans will be allowed to attend games in 2020. — Lindsey Thiry
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
Capacity: 68,500
What we know: Given the state of things in California, it’s hard to imagine the 49ers having fans at games this year even in a limited capacity, though no official decision has been made yet on that front. For now, the Niners have said that they “may not be able to host fans in a full or limited capacity this season.” With that in mind, the team has already said all single-game ticket sales for the season will be refunded and season-ticket holders can decline tickets for the season with the ability to renew next year. If fans are permitted, they will be required to wear masks and tickets will be made available on a game-by-game basis, with season-ticket holders having first priority. — Nick Wagoner
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Capacity: 69,000
What we know: The Seahawks have not announced a range of fans they plan on allowing at each home game, but all signs point to a significantly reduced capacity being the best-case scenario. King County is paused in Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phase reopening plan. Large sporting events are not allowed until the final phase, meaning things would have to get significantly better in a hurry for CenturyLink Field to have any fans in the stands by the time the Seahawks play their home opener against New England in Week 2. The team has allowed season-ticket holders the option of opting out of the 2020 season. — Brady Henderson
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy ruptured his right quadriceps tendon during the first padded practice of training camp Monday and will undergo season-ending surgery, according to team executive vice president Stephen Jones.
McCoy was hurt during individual drills and was unable to put weight on his leg after he was examined by the team’s medical staff. Before ducking into the locker room, McCoy attempted to take some steps unassisted but could not. An MRI revealed the tear.
“I will remain the mentor I am to the young guys and do my part to make sure that this team goes where it needs to,” McCoy said in a text to ESPN’s Ed Werder. “As far as my mindset people deal with real life problems everybody day especially now with the state of our country.
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“There is a lot of pain and heartache taking place right now that all our attention needs to go towards whether it is the pandemic or our fight for social justice. In retrospect what I’m dealing with is minimal compared to that. Therefore this is light work for me. Anybody who knows me knows I love a challenge. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!! I will be back better. LETS GET IT!!”
The Cowboys signed McCoy to a three-year, $18 million deal in free agency as part of a rebuild of their defensive line that also included the additions of Aldon Smith, Dontari Poe and Everson Griffen, who has yet to practice but has cleared COVID-19 testing protocol.
“It’s obviously tough,” Jones said. “It’s part of the game. You see injuries around the league every day, and unfortunately that’s why you have to have a deep roster. Obviously you sign a guy like Everson Griffen, you never know when things like this are going to happen.”
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Ed Werder reports that Cowboys DT Gerald McCoy will undergo season-ending surgery after he ruptured his right quadriceps tendon during the Cowboys’ first padded practice of training camp.
Speaking before Jones announced the injury, defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford said he spoke with McCoy after practice.
“Obviously it’s never fun to see a fellow D-lineman go down,” Crawford said. “Having a guy like that that you just get to know, just get to make part of the family, it’s always sad to see, but obviously I have a lot of faith in our training staff and also a lot of experience, as you guys know, and I know they’ll get him back and get him back right and get him back on that field better than ever.”
Crawford suffered a torn Achilles early in the 2013 training camp in individual drills and could relate to McCoy’s injury.
“It’s never fun to have it happen like that because you weren’t even competing at that time,” Crawford said. “It’s a different feeling than if it was to happen during a physical football play against your teammates.”
McCoy, 32, spent his first nine seasons in Tampa Bay before joining Carolina last season. He has missed more than three games in a season just once in his career.
Rookie Neville Gallimore and last year’s second-round pick, Trysten Hill, replaced McCoy at times during practice.
“We know [McCoy] was fired up to be here, but it’s also disappointing for us,” Jones said. “He was one of our major acquisitions in the offseason in free agency, but having said that, this will give Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore an opportunity to really step up now.”
