The coronavirus pandemic has had a major effect on sports, interrupting the NBA, NHL, MLB and college sports seasons, with the NFL next in line. However, despite the circumstances, the NFL carried out its virtual draft on Apr. 23-25, held a virtual offseason and started training camp on July 28, having the intentions of playing the full 2020 season.

   On Thursday, Sept. 10, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will host the Houston Texans to kick off the new season.

   Safety is the top concern amongst the NFL during these unprecedented times, as keeping athletes healthy is crucial. The NFL has remained optimistic and determined in having its 2020 season in the safest way possible, making sure to take the careful actions necessary along the way.

   “Players, coaches and staff will be tested daily for the foreseeable future, and every single player in the league has been given a smart tag tracking device to help them keep their distance off the field and for contact tracing, should it become necessary,” FOX NFL Sunday’s Curt Menefee said.

   During games, every coach and sideline staff will be required to wear a mask, while sideline reporters will be in the stands to maintain their social distance. As for the players, they will be socially distanced when in the locker room or weight room, and are being recommended to wear face shields when on the field.

   Unlike the NBA and NHL bubbles, the NFL is allowing players to live in their own homes with their families. However, there are restrictions that have been put in place on high-risk COVID-19 conduct off of the field. If a player were to break any of these rules, they could be subjected to a fine or suspension.

   Players had until Aug. 6 to make the decision of whether they wanted to opt out of the 2020 season. Sixty-six players ended up making that decision, and those who opted out due to high risk of COVID-19 will receive a $350,000 stipend while those who just voluntarily opted out will receive $150,000.

   Now whether fans will be allowed to go to games or if teams will just be playing in empty stadiums has been a big concern. As of Sept. 5, seven NFL teams have announced that they will allow fans in their stadiums at limited capacity: Cincinnati Bengals (6,000 fans), Cleveland Browns (6,000 fans), Dallas Cowboys (fewer than 50 percent), Indianapolis Colts (25 percent), Jacksonville Jaguars (25 percent), Kansas City Chiefs (22 percent) and Miami Dolphins (20 percent).

   “We hope and pray for the best and prepare for the worst, realizing that is one potential outcome that we will be back fully in business playing games as normal in front of fans on schedule,” the league’s chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said in a telephone interview with NFL.com.

   All fans attending NFL games this season will be required to wear a mask and will be socially distanced around the stadium.

   This has raised concerns about teams allowing fans in the stands having an advantage over those who will just be playing in empty stadiums. The NFL doesn’t think that this will be an issue though, as teams will be able to simulate home crowds through pumping in noise.

   “We obviously have varying capacities across the league, and from our standpoint, we want to invite our fans in if we can do it safely and we can do it with the full support of local officials. We think our fans want to come to the stadium,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a conference call on Sept. 1.

    In the possibility of an outbreak occurring during the 2020 season, teams may have to postpone or reschedule games. In a worst case scenario, the entirety of the league may have to be put on hold.

   “I’ve said all along that I remain cautiously optimistic,” Sills said in a telephone interview with The Washington Post. 

   “I know that we’ve got players and coaches and staff that are very committed to make it work. And I know that it’s something that we all hope very much will show how we can positively live with this virus.”