A century ago, college sports in the United States was hit hard by the Spanish flu pandemic. Games were canceled and some schools were forced to call off their seasons.
And this vintage image below is striking: Fans watching a college football game in the midst of a pandemic, wearing masks with a smidge of social distance between them on row after row of bleacher seats.
While times are unique, it’s not the first time sports has been affected by a pandemic. “The virus is on a similar time track,” said Andy McNeil, a Georgia Tech graduate and mechanical engineer. “History does repeat itself.”
McNeil has had the image in his office for years. A note on the back of the picture reads “Georgia Tech during 1918 pandemic.” McNeil’s great-grandfather, Thomas Carter, took the picture.
McNeil first found the images as a child. When he rediscovered them later, he had the originals blown up so he could frame them. It’s been a talking point for years as people inquired about the pictures. An era that once seemed unimaginable, now a reality.
“When the coronavirus started, I was like, ‘Wow, I had a family member who lived through this’.”
McNeil’s great-grandfather, Carter, loved adventure. Hoping to learn more about the Flu Pandemic in 1918, McNeil listened to old tapes his family had produced. In them, were interviews with Carter.
He was smart – graduating from Georgia Tech. But also daring. He would cling onto the back of cars traveling through downtown Atlanta. He built a boat and smuggled libations into the country during the prohibition. Perhaps attending a football game during a pandemic was seen just as daring.
“People understood the ramifications of the Spanish Flu at that time,” McNeil said. “Would he be alive if he didn’t wear a mask? Who knows.”
During the deadly second wave of the 1918 pandemic, Georgia Tech still managed to play seven games, six at home and one on the road that was rescheduled for Pitt. It was the only game that was modified because of the pandemic. The team, led by John Heisman, played games in front of fans.
Society has come so far in some ways. The world is currently rushing to produce a vaccine for COVID-19, yet the image of a football game in 1918 mirrors what life looks like today, with many people donning face coverings.
“It’s a dose of reality,” McNeil said. “Before coronavirus, I couldn’t imagine being at Georgia Tech with a mask on. A pandemic never crossed my mind. It’s a reality that history repeats itself, and we can get through it, but we have to do the right thing.”
McNeil doesn’t claim to be an expert. But he’s frustrated when he sees people not wearing face coverings, which is recommended by the CDC. Perhaps if everyone did, the pandemic would end sooner. Consequent waves would wane. And sports could return sooner than later.
“My great-grandfather lived a full life, he made it through,” McNeil said. “Hopefully that inspires people that everything will be okay, eventually.”
(via 13 WTHR Indianapolis)
And this vintage image below is striking: Fans watching a college football game in the midst of a pandemic, wearing masks with a smidge of social distance between them on row after row of bleacher seats.
 |
| Football fans wear masks during a 1918 game at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Thomas Carter, via Georgia Tech Alumni) |
While times are unique, it’s not the first time sports has been affected by a pandemic. “The virus is on a similar time track,” said Andy McNeil, a Georgia Tech graduate and mechanical engineer. “History does repeat itself.”
McNeil has had the image in his office for years. A note on the back of the picture reads “Georgia Tech during 1918 pandemic.” McNeil’s great-grandfather, Thomas Carter, took the picture.
McNeil first found the images as a child. When he rediscovered them later, he had the originals blown up so he could frame them. It’s been a talking point for years as people inquired about the pictures. An era that once seemed unimaginable, now a reality.
“When the coronavirus started, I was like, ‘Wow, I had a family member who lived through this’.”
McNeil’s great-grandfather, Carter, loved adventure. Hoping to learn more about the Flu Pandemic in 1918, McNeil listened to old tapes his family had produced. In them, were interviews with Carter.
He was smart – graduating from Georgia Tech. But also daring. He would cling onto the back of cars traveling through downtown Atlanta. He built a boat and smuggled libations into the country during the prohibition. Perhaps attending a football game during a pandemic was seen just as daring.
“People understood the ramifications of the Spanish Flu at that time,” McNeil said. “Would he be alive if he didn’t wear a mask? Who knows.”
During the deadly second wave of the 1918 pandemic, Georgia Tech still managed to play seven games, six at home and one on the road that was rescheduled for Pitt. It was the only game that was modified because of the pandemic. The team, led by John Heisman, played games in front of fans.
 |
| In 1918, Georgia Tech played almost a complete football schedule during the Spanish Flu outbreak that killed more than 675,000 in the US. (Photo by Thomas Carter, via Georgia Tech Alumni) |
Society has come so far in some ways. The world is currently rushing to produce a vaccine for COVID-19, yet the image of a football game in 1918 mirrors what life looks like today, with many people donning face coverings.
“It’s a dose of reality,” McNeil said. “Before coronavirus, I couldn’t imagine being at Georgia Tech with a mask on. A pandemic never crossed my mind. It’s a reality that history repeats itself, and we can get through it, but we have to do the right thing.”
McNeil doesn’t claim to be an expert. But he’s frustrated when he sees people not wearing face coverings, which is recommended by the CDC. Perhaps if everyone did, the pandemic would end sooner. Consequent waves would wane. And sports could return sooner than later.
“My great-grandfather lived a full life, he made it through,” McNeil said. “Hopefully that inspires people that everything will be okay, eventually.”
(via 13 WTHR Indianapolis)
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The situation is same as now 2020, pandemic covid 19 is causing the world to stand still. All the works of world is stopped. People needs to wear high quality disposable mask to guard themselves from the direct exposure.
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