President Biden said “God willing” there will be a packed stadium for the next Super Bowl – and that federal guidelines for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic could be unveiled Wednesday.
In an interview clip aired Sunday on CBS’s pre-game show for Super Bowl LV, Biden said it was his “hope and expectation” that fans would fill the stands next year.
“God willing, we will be able to celebrate as usual in a year,” he said.
The NFL has said that only 25,000 people will watch Sunday’s championship in person at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, along with 30,000 dropouts from fans.
Biden said he told his coronavirus “ team ” about Thursday’s offer from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to use all 32 professional football stadiums as mass vaccination sites, but he did not say which ones – if any – would be put into use .
Asked by ‘CBS Evening News’ anchor Norah O’Donnell about the impact of school closures on the country’s children, Biden said,’ I think it’s time for schools to open safely. ‘
The president raised concerns including “ventilation systems” in classrooms, but said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “as early as Wednesday” would publish safety guidelines.
Speaking of the big game between the reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Biden said the Bucs’ Tom Brady – a six-time Super Bowl winner – was “clearly … a great quarterback.”
But he also said the Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, “seems to have a lot of potential.”
Asked if that meant he thought Kansas City would win, Biden replied, “I didn’t say that.”
“I think they are both great quarterbacks.”
The 4-1 / 2-minute clip of the interview – the first Biden gave to a TV network anchor – was one of many CBS has aired since Friday night.
Another airs Monday on the CBS Evening News, O’Donnell said.