I was perusing some Super Bowl 2021 pics, as you do, when something struck me — namely, the photos of the seats in the arena.
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SURELY those are not real people...
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...because, you know, pandemic.
Yup, those are some cardboard cutouts.
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What sweet, dystopian nightmare are we living in?
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
According to Insider, 25,000 real fans were allowed to be in the stadium — but the NFL added 30,000 cutouts to make the stadium look full and help make sure that fans are spread out.
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In case you were wondering, it apparently cost $100 to have your cutout watch the game. Average ticket costs in 2020 were $7,000, so do with this information what you will. As it turns out, cardboard cutouts have become pretty commonplace during the pandemic.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL. There are CELEBRITY cutouts!
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DJ Khaled is (sort of) in the house!
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Billie Eilish is (kind of) in the crowd!
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Lady Gaga is (more or less) Chromatica-ing it up!
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Sean Evans, of Hot Ones fame, is (nearly) "soaking it all in"!
Wow, my first Super Bowl just soaking it all in #SuperBowl
And Guy Fieri is playing pure mind games with us!
Wait... How can I be in two places at the same time? 😂 #SuperBowl