Gov. Whitmer lifts stay home order; what it means for Detroit Lions, sports in Michigan

Dave Birkett
Detroit Free Press

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took another step towards re-opening the state on Monday, issuing a new executive order that allows outdoor "athletic practices, training sessions, or games" to re-start with groups of up to 100 people, in certain situations.

But that does not mean the Detroit Lions and other local teams will resume practices right away.

The Lions remain subject to restrictions the NFL put in place to combat the coronavirus, and Whitmer's order requires social distancing guidelines to remain in effect, meaning "participants not from the same household (must) maintain 6 feet of distance from one another at all times" during athletic activities.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia works with the defense during minicamp practice Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Allen Park.

Along with those guidelines, the order requires that equipment be shared "the minimum extent possible" and be subject to "frequent and thorough disinfection and cleaning," and it kept closed "indoor gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, sports facilities" and other exercise facilities to "ingress, egress, use, and occupancy by members of the public."

[ If sports return in 2020, what will they look like in Michigan? ]

That means you won't be able to head to the gym for your local pickup game yet, but it does bring everyone a step closer to the full return of sports.

Here's what we know:

The Lions are supposed to begin Phase 3 of the offseason program this week. Can they do that in person now?

No. While Whitmer's order might technically allow players to work out on the outdoor fields at the team's Allen Park practice facility, the NFL has extended its virtual offseason program for at least another 11 days.

Some team facilities were allowed to re-open last month, with no more than 50% of staff (or 75 individuals) allowed in a building. But no coaches or players (outside of those rehabbing from injuries) are allowed in buildings yet.

Apr 23, 2020; In this still image from video provided by the NFL, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks from his home in Bronxville, N.Y., during the 2020 NFL football draft. Mandatory Credit: NFL/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

When will that change?

Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week that he hoped to open up facilities to coaches this week, though the NFL has made a point to limit the competitive advantages one team may have over another from a facilities standpoint during the entirety of the pandemic. Once stay-at-home orders across the nation allow it, coaches will be allowed back in their buildings.

The Lions did not say Monday how soon they will re-open their building.

Could the Lions start practice the week of June 15?

It's possible, but that seems highly unlikely at this point. The Lions are in the final phase of their offseason program, Phase 3. They were supposed to have organized team activities this week, a mandatory minicamp June 9-11, and their final few OTAs the week of June 15.

New Lions like Danny Shelton (71) and Jamie Collins (58) could take physicals to validate their contracts in the coming weeks.

What's more likely is that the NFL will begin allowing players into the building on a limited basis so teams can give physicals to and officially sign their free agents and draft picks, and to begin testing the coronavirus safeguards all teams will need before training camp starts in late July.

The NFL has mandated that its offseason program (rookies typically stay a week later than veterans) must conclude by June 26.

Does that mean training camp will start on time?

The NFL has said all along that it's planning for camp, preseason games and the regular season to begin on time, and the fact that Whitmer joined the governors of other hard-hit states like New York, New Jersey and California in clearing the way for sports to resume makes it more likely that the Lions will be on the field this summer.

But, like with everything related to this pandemic, there are no guarantees. Another wave of viruses could shut things down again, delay the start of the season or suspend it sometime in the fall. 

What's the likelihood fans are in the stands for games this fall?

That all depends on which direction the virus trends. Again, the NFL has said it's planning to play games in front of fans this fall, but teams are making plans for alternative scenarios. It seems highly unlikely that fans will be allowed in stadiums in the preseason and early part of the regular season, at least on a full-capacity basis. But we don't know how things will track over the summer so there's really no way to give a reliable answer.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on May 28, 2020.

The Lions did reach out last week to season ticket holders who had June 1 payments due and offered a revised payment plan if necessary. The email did not include any details about games this fall, but the organization is continuing to collect money as if seats will be filled in the fall.

When can college teams return?

A Michigan spokesperson told the Free Press that the athletic department has begun planning for the return of student-athletes.

"Based on today’s announcement, we are holding discussions with university leadership on the appropriate date to begin allowing student-athletes to safely return for testing followed by voluntary workouts," the statement read. 

What about other professional sports teams in the state?

My colleague Omari Sankofa reported that the Detroit Pistons remain in a holding pattern for now. They still are allowing players with waivers to access the facility while awaiting Whitmer's original June 12 re-opening date.

When will high school sports resume?

There is much to be decided when it comes to that. Private outdoor facilities are allowed to re-open immediately under Whitmer's new guidelines, while indoor facilities remain largely closed to the general public.

Many school districts still need to release their fields and facilities for use, and will do so according to guidelines outlined in a memorandum issued by the Michigan High School Athletic Association last week.

Belleville Tigers defensive back Andre Seldon during action against the Dearborn Pioneers, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019 at Belleville high school.

According to the MHSAA letter, on-site activities can begin once the original June 12 stay-home order is lifted, and should follow a three-step process for returning to full athletic participation. The letter outlines steps to be taken for the screening of athletes and coaches for the coronavirus, limits the number of participants who may be involved in practices and gatherings and outlines best practices to keep facilities and equipment clean.

The letter also set limits on how many people will be allowed to attend events while restrictions on mass gatherings remain. Under its tiered proposal, only essential (athletes, coaches, officials, medical staff, etc.) and preferred (media) individuals can attend events while non-essential individuals (spectators and vendors) may have to wait.

Free Press sports writer Orion Sang contributed. Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.