Steelers weigh in on potentially playing games with no fans

True to his Type-A, hyper-analytical public persona, Mike Tomlin’s first reaction to the concept of playing games without fans was void of emotion.

“The thing that I’m interested in is how it changes the game, maybe mechanically, in some ways,” Tomlin said earlier this week while speaking as a guest on John Calipari’s video podcast.

Tomlin recognizes some of the fundamental aspects of NFL play will be altered if teams are competing in empty stadiums because of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an environment lacking ambient noise, will opponents be able to overhear a play call in his huddle?

Or discussions between coaches on the sidelines?

Will the method for audibles at the line of scrimmage need to change, if the defense (and the entire coaching staff) can hear the quarterback?

But even Tomlin, moments later, acknowledged the more intangible effect that playing in front of nothing but empty seats can have on a team and on a game.

“Then there is obviously the emotional element of it of what fans provide us in terms of inspiration in those (crucial) moments,” Tomlin said on the “Coffee With Cal” show that serves as a fundraiser for covid-19 relief programs.

“In our game, man, they’re so integrated into the moments. You know, you got third-down-and-goal on the 3-yard line, man, in a significant moment, man, part of that moment is everybody on their feet and leaning in and the atmosphere that it creates, you know? So, that’s going to be interesting.”

Gov. Tom Wolf issued an order Wednesday afternoon that allows Pittsburgh’s pro sports franchises to return to using their team facilities, albeit without spectators.https://t.co/YU9BzDJNIy

— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) May 28, 2020

Much remains to be seen about the precise logistics of how an NFL season without fans would work. It’s possible games wouldn’t be played at team’s home stadiums. If they are, will public-address announcers be used? Will artificial crowd noise be pumped in? Would there be scoreboard and video graphics — i.e., would “Renegade” be played at Heinz Field, and if it did, would it have the same effect without the accompanying reaction from 60,000-plus people?

Safe to say, though, no matter how it plays out, from a players and coaches perspective, the gameday atmosphere will be virtually unrecognizable.

“It’s going to probably be like a scrimmage,” Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson said. “Just being out there, the fans are what get us going. They give us energy.

“It will be different if we have nobody in the stands. The game just won’t feel right. It will feel like another practice.”

Even Steelers practices often involve a fan atmosphere. Typically, the team’s first 14-18 practices of training camp are open to the public at Saint Vincent. For many of those workouts, a couple thousand or more fans show up to Chuck Noll Field. In recent years, the team added an annual “FanFest” camp practice at Heinz Field that draws several times as many fans to watch.

John Steigerwald: Sports without fans will be dreadful, and we all know it https://t.co/Qvg5KUfVKr

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) May 11, 2020

For some players, the lack of fans might be more jarring than others.

It was ironic Johnson compared the idea to being “like a scrimmage.” An alumnus of a Mid-American Conference school, Johnson typically didn’t play in palatial NFL-like stadiums until he was drafted last year. The average attendance for the final three regular-season games of his Toledo career was 8,932.

On the other hand, the home games during Minkah Fitzpatrick’s final season at Alabama averaged 101,722 fans. That’s 63% more, on average, than he played in front of at Heinz Field last season.

“No matter what the case is, whether there’s an opening in the stands or it’s a full stadium, we’re going to give our best effort and make sure you guys are entertained and having a good time,” Fitzpatrick said.

As well compensated and highly competitive athletes, the Steelers will play their 2020 schedule if the stadiums are empty, full or somewhere in between.

All things being equal, though, everyone seems to prefer a more normal spectator experience.

“Hopefully everything goes well, and we get some fans,” Johnson said. “But if not, shoot, then we will have to play without them.”

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