TSU football team kicks off the season with strong defense against COVID-19
Written by Karina Hollingsworth on September 8, 2021
By: Karina Hollingsworth
The atmosphere at the 36th Annual Labor Day Classic was different from previous years.
TSU Tiger fans were full of team spirit and ready to cheer on the football team like always, but before they could enter the BBVA Stadium they had to pass one test–a temperature check.
Due to the uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19 last year’s Labor Day Classic was cancelled to keep everyone safe.
COVID-19 is still currently a very serious issue in Harris County.
According to the Houston Health Department, there were 1,177 new positive COVID-19 cases within the past 14 days.
The TSU football team and fans were on full defense combatting the spread of C0VID-19 at the football game.
Many fans were seen wearing their mask even though it was not a requirement to enter the BBVA Stadium.
Football players were seen sanitizing their hands on the sidelines.
On the field the water girls were cautious when giving the football players water.
“We make sure all of the bottles are clean,” Water Girl Mikalia Robinson said. “We make sure we don’t dip the water bottles in the water so it’s not contaminated.”
The 36th Annual Labor Day Classic was the first performance of the year for the Ocean of Soul after they made the shocking decision to withdraw from the Battle of the Bands due to COVID-19.
“Big ups to the band, the director, the staff and everyone who has been looking out for the Ocean,” former Drum Major Christopher Jones said. “Covid has been a very hard time and they came out, they stepped on the field and they did not miss one beat. They sounded beautiful in the stands. The Motion of the Ocean dancers are beautiful and they are dancing down on the field.”
Even though the Texas Southern University Tigers didn’t come home with a win against the Prairie View Panthers they did come home with a win against COVID-19.
All student athletes and staff must provide a weekly negative covid test before they can participate in practice or step on the field.
All positive COVID-19 cases must be reported to the Covid Hotline at 713-313-5099.
