KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2020 NFL season Thursday, Pat Grazier continued his own home-game streak.
The long-time Chiefs fan has been a season ticket member for 33 years. By his count, Grazier has attended 256 consecutive home games.
“Last time I missed a game, I was 24 years old,” Grazier said.
But this isn't a typical Chiefs season. Grazier wasn't able to park in his usual lot and meet up with others to tailgate.
Instead, orange cones blocked off every other spot and he could only tailgate with the group he came with as part of new rules in place the Chiefs’ response to COVID-19.
“I am so happy to be back in this atmosphere, but it’s certainly different,” Grazier said.
Arrowhead Stadium was capped at 22% capacity, an announced crowd of 15,895, for Thursday’s game. All fans were required to wear masks, except when eating or drinking, among other guidelines.
Additionally, Red Coaters could not go onto the field or participate in pregame activities.
“It’s hard to believe it was six, seven months ago we were in Miami (for the Super Bowl) and look at how the world has completely changed,” Lacy Glover said.
Both Glover and her mother, Clara, are Red Coaters. The silver lining was that, for the first time, they could enjoy “a typical fan experience” without worrying about “timelines.”
“For normal games, we have to check in at the assigned space an hour and a half early,” Glover said. “We (would) go down onto the field where we (would) get our flags and line up in the tunnel or with your flag. That’s kind of all on pause.”
