Newsom Reacts to Relocation of Rose Bowl Game to Texas

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday said that while it’s highly unfortunate the Rose Bowl Game will not be played in Pasadena this year, the decision to not grant an exemption in state health guidelines to allow player guests to attend, resulting in the relocation of the game to Texas, was necessary due to the dangerous level of COVID-19 spread in Southern California.

The Tournament of Roses announced last week that a second request for the special exception was not granted. Sporting events have not been allowed to host guests or spectators since March as a response to the pandemic.

Newsom said it was sad to see the game leave the state, but public safety must come first.

“We love the Rose Bowl. As a fifth-generation Californian, I feel like there was the Gold Rush and then there was the Rose Bowl. And so it’s been a big part of our lives. The Rose Bowl Parade. The game itself. I’m an avid sports fan, so I’m eager to watch the Rose Bowl,” Newsom said.

“When you’re in Southern California, you’re 0 percent ICU capacity. We can’t make exceptions. We have to be stringent in terms of our rules and regulations. We’ve got to do everything in our power to mitigate spread and to mitigate mixing. And so, what they asked for was contrary to that determination and to our medium and long-term goals,” he said.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed, we’re disappointed, that we had to make that call,” the governor said. “But here me loudly: Our reverence, our respect, our admiration, our pride that comes from the Rose Bowl, and obviously the impact it’s had on Pasadena and the entire region, the international identity that we receive every year from it, the economic vibrancy that comes out of out it, everything about it; just know that none of this is what we want to do. It’s what we have to do to mitigate the spread and be responsible at this moment, at peril of regretting the decision and putting people’s lives —233 people on average every single day —putting people’s lives at risk.”

The College Football Playoff has been moved to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The name of the event has yet to be announced.

The governor’s comments can be viewed online at youtu.be/35JwraDKtKU.

City News Service contributed to this story.

See also:

Rose Bowl Game Relocated to Texas Due to COVID-19

The City Owns More Than Just the Name of the Rose Bowl Game