Pictured Above: Rebecca Bryan (left) celebrates Super Bowl LV with friends at a tailgate party she threw.
Courtesy of Rebecca Bryan
By Alexendra Davis
Tampa Bay celebrated this past weekend when the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
While viewers at home saw a full crowd, only 25,000 of the 69,000 seats at Raymond James Stadium were filled, with the remainder being cardboard cutouts.
Some USF students shared how they rang in the event during a pandemic.
For graphic arts senior Courtney O’Donoghue, the sporting event was just another day at work.
“I worked for the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign,” O’Donoghue said. “Before the game, I worked tailgating for 5 hours. I got paid to ride around on a bike with a sign on it. We were required to wear masks while working.”
O’Donoghue said that masks or social distancing were not enforced..
“It was impossible to social distance while working that event,” O’Donoghue said. “I did my best, but my job requires going into crowded areas. If I was not getting paid I would have socially distanced.”
Other students said that they stayed home and watched the game with their immediate household.
Mass Communications senior Rebecca Bryan held a tailgating party at her home.
“I used to love to go to social events like tailgating, but every time I go do these things, I feel uncomfortable,” Bryan said. “In the comfort of my own house, I can monitor who shows up and control the amount of people. I like to have people over these days rather than going out… We set up a pong table and other fun activities, all with the game on in the background. Friends brought food and drinks, and even fireworks.”
Bryan hosted just under 20 people for the game and did not require anyone to wear masks.
“Since nobody wore masks, we just made sure to monitor whose drink belonged to who, not to share forks or plates, and monitored other things multiple people may have touched,” Bryan said. “I was constantly cleaning things. I felt safe and so did all of my friends – they have expressed this to me.”
Since September, Florida has been in Phase 3 of its recovery plan, which means there are no restrictions or limitations of indoor or outdoor occupancy, and instead counties have control in regulating for COVID-19 guidelines.
Pinellas County currently requires masks in public spaces where there are more than 10 people and social distancing is not possible.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman voiced opposition toward local Super Bowl celebrations.
On Feb. 5, Kriseman posted a video to his Facebook page encouraging St. Petersburg residents and visitors to celebrate safely indoors.
Later that day, rapper 50 Cent hosted a private Super Bowl party in an airplane hangar at Albert Whitted Airport. In response, Kriseman tweeted: “This isn’t how we should be celebrating the Super Bowl. It’s not safe or smart. It’s stupid. We’re going to take a very close look at this, and it may end up costing someone a lot more than 50 cent.”
The private party led to the eviction of the aviation maintenance company that occupied the hangar and hosted the event with 50 Cent.
Annalise Anderson contributed to this report.
