NFL to invite vaccinated health care workers to Super Bowl LV

Americans owe a debt of gratitude to our front-line healthcare workers for their heroic efforts during the pandemic, and the NFL hopes to salute them as well when Super Bowl LV comes around.

“We are currently discussing with public health officials our desire to invite vaccinated health care workers to the Super Bowl as our guests,” commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Rob Higgins, president of the Tampa Super Bowl Host Committee, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“Subject to their approval and in consultation with your team, we aim to do this in a safe and responsible way.”

Though the league hasn’t determined a maximum capacity for the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, the NFL hopes to make sure health care workers are honored at the league’s biggest spectacle.

“We know that over the past year, these frontline workers have put their own lives at risk to the benefit of society and we owe them our ongoing gratitude,” Goodell wrote. “ ... We hope that in some small way, this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes as we look forward to a better and healthier year.”

Super Bowl LV is scheduled to be played on Sunday, Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Fla.

Tampa has hosted the Super Bowl four times, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell believes the fifth edition “will be one of the most memorable in its history.”

However, Goodell remains unsure about the number of fans that will be allowed at Raymond James Stadium for the season finale.

“I think the way we’re approaching capacity is all about (the) safety of our fans and local public health officials,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure there’s a specific number we’re confident in saying.”

“One of the things we’ve learned is we have to be prepared to adapt and evolve,” he continued. “Our protocols have been adapted and evolved over the season. We don’t know what the environment will be in 55 days.”

The pandemic could also impact when the participating teams travel to Tampa.

“As we get closer, we could make those determinations,” Goodell said. “Safety is first, but we’re flexible.”