Metro Nashville Schools Allowed To Start Football Games This Month

Metro Nashville Public Schools students will now be allowed to play football games beginning next week, Nashville mayor John Cooper announced during his press conference on Thursday.

Cooper said teams can begin games Friday, September 25, FOX 17 News reports. The district was approved to resume contact practices last Friday.

Metro Schools director Dr. Adrienne Battle said the decision to allow games to begin was made after a lot of work and progress to limited the spread of COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic. Dr. Battle said students will be eligible to participate in games regardless of whether they attend school in-person or virtually, FOX 17 News reports.

Last month, some parents of MNPS students protested the district's decision to postpone sports and extracurricular activities.

Earlier this month, a high school football game between Dickson County High School and Brentwood High School -- both of nearby districts outside of MNPS' jurisdiction -- was canceled after the Dickson County team confirmed it was dealing with COVID-19 cases, FOX 17 News reports. The game has since been rescheduled for October 8 and previously purchased tickets will be honored.

On Thursday, the Nashville Health Department reported a total of 27,693 cases of COVID-19 in Davidson County, including 130 cases reported in a 24-hour span and 1,177 active cases.

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