NFL - Return of American football brings joy amid COVID-19 malaise

FILE PHOTO: Former Superbowl champion quarterback Joe Montana, who played for the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, speaks during an interview in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The return of fans to NFL games this season has come as a welcome boost to a nation reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed thousands of lives and forced changes to almost every facet of American life.

Fans were largely shut out of stadiums last season to stem the spread of the virus but have returned in force, donning jerseys in Dallas, face paint in Seattle, and blocks of cheese on their heads in Green Bay.