Alabama Football: SEC to host virtual media days due to COVID-19

There will be no in-person SEC media days for Alabama football fans.

This should not come as a shock, but the SEC has officially decided to host virtual media days in preparation for the 2020 season. That means that Alabama football and other SEC fans will not be able to see their favorite coaches and players in person like they usually can.

This is not ideal, but it is certainly the safest option for everyone involved. With COVID-19 cases still rising in the state of Alabama, having a public event would certainly be dangerous at this time. There would also be no logistical way to socially distance, which only makes matters worse. If we are not certain that fans will be in stands by the fall, there is no safe way to put them in the same place over the summer.

Even if the SEC were to host a private media day, the risk would still be there. This would bring members of football teams and the media from across the Southeast. If a few people were to come in with the coronavirus, it could easily be spread to all SEC football teams, potentially impacting the 2020 season.

Several teams have already reported cases of players having COVID-19 before hosting team activities. Alabama football was one of those programs. There is still plenty of time to get things right before the start of a college football season, but all of these pieces together is simply not feasible.

What can Alabama football fans expect?

Without an in-person media day in Birmingham, Crimson Tide fans can likely expect to watch everything on television. Much like the NFL Draft, I would expect some sort of virtual television experience. In the press release, it was included that the SEC plans to have constant coverage through the SEC Network.

You can also keep up with any Alabama football content by reading articles and listening to podcasts. Sports have not been a part of many people’s priorities recently, but they can still be an escape from everything else happening in the world.

This is not ideal for Alabama football fans, but at least they can still hear Nick Saban speak about the upcoming season in some fashion.