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Coronavirus Has Humanized Sports

Photos: Coronavirus Pandemic Brings Sports to a Halt

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The coronavirus pandemic shook up the sports world on Thursday, as events across the country were cancelled or postponed due to growing concerns of the COVID-19 virus. After the NBA’s decision to suspend its season, the NHL followed suit, MLB pushed back Opening Day by two weeks and the NCAA cancelled its men’s and women’s tournaments. Events and gatherings around the world were also cancelled or postponed in the NFL, golf, tennis and soccer, and as a result, the sports world will go dark for the foreseeable future.

With the influx of sudden cancellations, the scenes around the country were unusual and eerie: empty stadiums during games; impromptu trophy celebrations after suspended tournaments; fans wearing masks with their team gear; and people exiting arenas after games were cancelled mid-competition. 

A security guard walks by after the cancellation of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

A security guard walks by after the cancellation of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Fans enter Publix Field before the Detroit Tigers-Atlanta Braves spring training game.

Fans enter Publix Field before the Detroit Tigers-Atlanta Braves spring training game.

A sign outside the clubhouse at The Players Championship.

A sign outside the clubhouse at The Players Championship.

St. John's vs. Creighton ahead of the Big East Tournament game at Madison Square Garden. 

St. John's vs. Creighton ahead of the Big East Tournament game at Madison Square Garden. 

Tip off for St. John's vs. Creighton Bluejays Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden.

Tip off for St. John's vs. Creighton Bluejays Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden.

Fans after the mid-game cancellation of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Fans after the mid-game cancellation of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Empty concourse after the postponed Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals game at Capital One Arena.

Empty concourse after the postponed Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals game at Capital One Arena.

An empty Greensboro Coliseum ahead of the Clemson vs. Florida State ACC tournament men's basketball game.

An empty Greensboro Coliseum ahead of the Clemson vs. Florida State ACC tournament men's basketball game.

A message about germs on a screen at Vivint Smart Home Arena prior to a game between the Utah Jazz and the Toronto Raptors. 

A message about germs on a screen at Vivint Smart Home Arena prior to a game between the Utah Jazz and the Toronto Raptors. 

Fans leave after being told the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz game had been cancelled just before tip off.

Fans leave after being told the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz game had been cancelled just before tip off.

American Airlines Arena after the NBA suspends the season due to coronavirus concerns.

American Airlines Arena after the NBA suspends the season due to coronavirus concerns.

An empty Capital One Arena after the postponement of the Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals game.

An empty Capital One Arena after the postponement of the Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals game.

Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball leave the court after the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings game is postponed.

Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball leave the court after the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings game is postponed.

An empty plaza at Chase Center after the Nets vs. Warriors game was cancelled.

An empty plaza at Chase Center after the Nets vs. Warriors game was cancelled.

A fan wears a mask and gloves during a spring training game between the Nationals and the Yankees in Florida.

A fan wears a mask and gloves during a spring training game between the Nationals and the Yankees in Florida.

A worker removes the insignia of the Mid-American Conference from the bench chairs after the MAC tournament is cancelled.

A worker removes the insignia of the Mid-American Conference from the bench chairs after the MAC tournament is cancelled.

Michigan warms up before the scheduled Big Ten Tournament game against Rutgers with no fans in attendance.

Michigan warms up before the scheduled Big Ten Tournament game against Rutgers with no fans in attendance.

Boston Celtics center Enes Canter wears a message on his shoes for people to wash their hands.

Boston Celtics center Enes Canter wears a message on his shoes for people to wash their hands.

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