The NFL announced Friday that 7,500 health care workers vaccinated for the coronavirus will be given free tickets to next month’s Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell said in a news release that attendance at the Feb. 7 game would be limited to those workers and about 14,500 other fans. Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and where the Super Bowl will take place, has a capacity of just under 66,000.
According to Goodell, most of the health care workers who will get free game tickets will come from the Tampa Bay area and central Florida, but he added that all 32 NFL teams will send some workers from their cities to attend the game.
“These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude,” Goodell said. “We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the NFL’s decision is a perfect way to honor health care workers at such a high-profile event. “Our country has endured to much over the last year and we can’t lose sight of those who worked day in and day out to keep us safe,” Castor said in the NFL release
