Wolf administration, Steelers at odds over face-covering mandate for players

The office of Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday that the Pittsburgh Steelers have not been granted an exemption that would allow players to go without masks during games at Heinz Field for the rest of the 2020 season.

That contradicted a statement released by the Steelers on Wednesday that said the team had “received guidance from the Governor’s Office,” regarding an exemption from players “wearing masks during an NFL game.”

In an email to the Tribune-Review, Lyndsay Kensinger, the press secretary for the governor, wrote, “the administration did not grant an exemption.”

Contacted Thursday for clarification, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten told the Tribune-Review that the team is aware of the state’s stance. Lauten clarified that the exemption wasn’t specific to the team but said the Steelers are covered under Section 3 of the Secretary of Health’s Universal Face Covering Order. Section 3 provides exemptions for athletes that include “respiratory issues that impede breathing” while playing a sport.

Kensinger outlined in the email the guidance that was provided Tuesday by state Secretary of Health Rachel Levine for the usage of masks at sporting events while coronavirus cases surge throughout the state. It included language pertaining to Section 3.

“Everyone involved in sport activities must wear a face covering, such as a mask, unless they fall under an exception listed in Section 3 of the Secretary of Health’s Universal Face Covering Order. Coaches, athletes, and spectators must wear face coverings unless they are outdoors and can consistently maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.

“Coaches, athletes, and spectators must wear face coverings while actively engaged in workouts and competition as well as when on the sidelines, in the dugout etc. unless they meet an exception in the Face Covering Order. Section 3 of the Order provides an exception that allows an individual to remove their mask if wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition, or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or a disability.

“The Order indicates all alternatives to wearing a face covering, including the use of a face shield, should be exhausted before an individual is excepted from this Order.“

The Steelers play their next home game Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens. They have remaining home games against Washington (Dec. 6) and Indianapolis (Dec. 27).

Fans attending Steelers home games are required to wear face coverings, and the mandate applies to personnel on the sidelines and throughout Heinz Field, including coaches, staff members, team employees, media members and stadium workers.