Alabama Crimson Tide continue their domination in College Football with clinching a record 18th National Championship trophy, sixth under the tenure of Nick Saban. However, the celebration from the fans went too crazy, even amidst the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Likewise every other sport in the world, the NCAA was also heavily impacted by the virus outbreak from the initiation. From cancellation and postponement of games to players and coaches contracting COVID, the season went through many hurdles to finally reach completion. However, the biggest example of a COVID protocol breach came from the supporters.
The Hard Rock Stadium, which hosted the championship clash in which Alabama thrashed Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24, only took in 15K fans, almost 40K less than its actual capacity to follow the protocols. But the real drama took place outside.
Alabama fans break all safety protocols during the championship game after-party
Despite both the university as well as the mayor asking the supporters to celebrate responsibly, soon after Saban and the squad lifted the trophy, thousands of Crimson fans swarmed the streets of Tuscaloosa outside the stadium, with majority seen in naked faces, a big no-no in current times. Several photos and clips also emerged online.
The act from Alabama fans is very similar to how the Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrated following the team’s championship triumph back in October last year.
“Particularly in our downtown Strip area, and other places of entertainment activity throughout our city is important to remember this, we can’t have block parties this year,” Walt Maddox, the mayor of Tuscaloosa had asked the fans prior to the game,
“There’ll be a time and place to celebrate, but this is not the time,” added the mayor, who even recommended against taking any strict action or curfew for crowd-control purposes.
Moreover, the university also urged the fans to follow proper protocols for celebrations, under the tagline of “Roll Tide Responsibly,” advising fans to wear masks at all times and to also maintain a distance of six feet from each other and avoid loud gatherings. As it turns out, none of those advises were followed.
