There’s been some concern that the NFL might have to postpone or relocate the San Francisco 49ers’ season opener against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
As you likely already know, Northern Calfornia continues to be blanketed by wildfires on a level the state has not seen before. In fact, three of California’s five-largest fires on record are burning right now.
As it did during the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, some figured sports itself would take a back seat. That’s not the case.
Cardinals-49ers Week 1 game still on despite air quality issues
The 49ers nearly needed to cancel practice on Friday when the air quality index reached north of 200 in surrounding areas. Said index points to how safe it is to be outside.
Interestingly enough, 49ers running back Tevin Coleman might have to sit this one out due to the air quality. Coleman, 27, has the sickle-cell trait. It makes him more vulnerable in hazardous situations like we’re seeing in California right now.
Related: NFL Week 1 predictions
As for the game itself, air quality is unpredictable. If it does indeed end up reaching 200 as the Cardinals-49ers matchup approaches, alternatives will have to be considered.
The game will not move to Arizona, as the Cardinals’ stadium is hosting an RV show this weekend. The likelier scenario would be relocating the teams to either Seattle or Las Vegas.
But for now, it appears the Cardinals and 49ers are good to go in Santa Clara Sunday afternoon.