Ravens will host 250 family members for Week 3 matchup with Chiefs
The Baltimore Ravens won’t have the typical sold-out crowd that their rare home Monday Night Football game would command when they welcome the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs to town for a showdown in primetime.
However, unlike their season opener against the Cleveland Brown, they will have some non-essential personnel other than the members of the media in attendance at M&T Bank Stadium. On Friday, the team announced via their official website that they will have 250 immediate family members of players, coaches, and front office staff members in the stands in preparation for possibly having fans attend home games later in the season.
Thanks to a recently issued order of Maryland’s Department of Health that was overseen by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Baltimore City Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young, this some contingent of attendees were permitted for this game.
“This is an important step for us as we continue working toward the possibility of welcoming a larger number of fans at some point this season,” Ravens President Dick Cass stated. “Ultimately, we all want to do what’s in the best interest of our community.”
Only family members living in the same local household as a player, coach, or staff member will be eligible to attend and will be required to wear a mask and follow safety protocols developed by health experts, government officials, the Ravens, the NFL, and the NFLPA.
“The Ravens are using this opportunity to test our systems and protocols in advance of possibly hosting fans at M&T Bank Stadium,” Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations Roy Sommerhof said. “We are confident that the efforts that our team has put forth thus far will result in providing a safe environment for our guests.”
The atmosphere on gameday still won’t feel like normal but the Marching Ravens drumline will still be playing in the stands like they were in Week One, however, cheerleaders still won’t be among those in attendance.
Seating for the permitted 250 will be spread out throughout the stadium and they will be encouraged and expected to abide by safe social distancing when making purchases and moving about the stadium. There will still be no tailgating allowed outside or around the stadium.
