NFL invites 7,500 healthcare workers to Super Bowl 55 in Tampa

Super Bowl 55 will different in many ways but rooted back to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

As we head into championship Sunday in the NFL where the Buffalo Bills will play the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will visit the Green Bay Packers to determine who will play on the big day, the NFL has announced it will admit 22,000 fans into Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida with 7,500 of those being vaccinated healthcare workers.

ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted out the news on Friday morning.

The NFL released its owns statement as well confirming the announcement adding that the healthcare workers "will receive free Super Bowl tickets and gameday experiences directly from the NFL. All 32 NFL clubs will select vaccinated health care workers from their communities to attend the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay on Sunday, Feb 7."

A few NFL Stadiums had limited fans this season which depended on local and state regulations wherever each team played, the Giants and Jets for example had none because of the restrictions in New Jersey.

The Bills were allowed 6,700 fans in the first couple rounds of the playoffs after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo approved the idea.

The NFL has had Covid restrictions in place all season as well and said they worked with public health officials including the CDC to put together a Super Bowl plan.

Now, 14,500 fans will be allowed in along with the 7,500 healthcare workers.

Everyone who attends though, the NFL said in their statement, will have to wear a mask, be socially distant, sit in podded seating as well as abide by other safety guidelines in place.

The big news though on Friday is the invitation by the NFL to healthcare workers.

"These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude," Commissioner Goodell said in a statement. "We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes. This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing masks in public settings."

The NFL then tweeted out a Zoom video on Friday morning of Commissioner Roger Goodell was on with Sarasota, Florida Healthcare workers extending an invitation for "their team" to join the NFL as its guest at Super Bowl 55.

"The reason that I wanted to get on this call for a minute to thank you all is that I wanted to tell you that we would like your team to be there. So, if you're able to swing it, I want to personally invite each member of your team...to be our guests at the Super Bowl."

You can watch the emotional video in the NFL's tweet.

Who will play on the field on Super Bowl Sunday is yet to be determined, we'll find that out Sunday.

There are a few current NFL players born in New Jersey though who will be on the field this weekend in the title games who could very well play in the SuperBowl.

Yosuah Nijman, is a Tackle for the Packers, who was born in Maplewood, NJ.

Rashan Gary, is a Defensive Lineman for the Packers, who was born in Plainfield, NJ.

Ka'dar Hollman, is a Cornerback for the Packers, who was born in Burlington, NJ.

Dion Dawkins, is an Offensive Guard for the Bills, who was born in Avenel, NJ.

Ross Cockrell, is a Cornerback for the Buccaneers, who was born in Hazlet, NJ.

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