Stanford football team relocating to Seattle, Oregon for UW, OSU games
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The Stanford football team announced it will relocate to Seattle and Corvallis, Ore. for the next two weeks in response to Santa Clara County’s three-week ban on contact sports announced Nov. 28.
The Cardinal travels to Seattle Tuesday to prepare for its game against the Washington Huskies on Dec. 5. The following week, Stanford will travel to Corvallis, Oregon. to prepare for their Dec. 12 game against the Oregon State Beavers, which was relocated from Stanford Stadium to Reser Stadium.
Scheduling update for the next two regular season games.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/wye9cZ8RTi
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) December 1, 2020
Stanford is one of a handful of teams based in Santa Clara County that is relocating elsewhere to proceed with their seasons. The San Francisco 49ers will play their next two “home” games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. — home of their NFC West foe Arizona Cardinals.
Monday, county health department executive Jeff Smith reiterated frustrations that sports teams in the area are circumventing health orders.
“Historically, sportsmanship has been about building a team and protecting that team,” he said. “Coaches, managers and owners used to want to protect their players from harm. Those values seem to have been placed on hold during the COVID pandemic. If leaders want to protect their teams and communities, they should not play anywhere until it is safe. One might envision a reemergence of team-building if the teams spent their time building a COVID relief fund for the community rather than trying to put the community at more risk.”
The Pac-12 Conference confirmed Stanford’s announced relocation to the Pacific Northwest, adding in a statement:
“This decision was made consistent with the Pac-12’s commitment to adherence to all state and local public health orders and directives, and prioritization of the health and safety of our student-athletes.”
