Why can’t you fly a drone anywhere near a Seattle Seahawks game—even if you’re miles away and nowhere near the stadium?
In this video, Jason Rantz breaks down the FAA drone restrictions that kick in during NFL games and wonders why the rules feel so extreme. The Federal Aviation Administration imposes a temporary flight restriction that blocks all drones within a three-mile radius of Lumen Field during Seahawks games, including pregame and postgame windows.
The rule is framed as a public-safety measure tied to national security and crowd protection, but Rantz questions whether the policy has drifted into regulatory overkill. The restriction doesn’t just apply to bad actors—it applies to everyone, including hobbyists, licensed drone pilots, photographers, and media operators who may be nowhere near fans or players.
Rantz walks through how the rule works, why it’s enforced during NFL games, and how the FAA coordinates these restrictions with the league and local law enforcement. He also highlights how little flexibility exists for responsible drone users and why many people don’t even realize they’re violating federal airspace rules until it’s too late.
If you’ve ever wondered why flying a small drone in Seattle suddenly becomes illegal on game day—or why the FAA treats a football game like a high-security event—this breakdown explains it clearly, with humor and skepticism.
Watch, comment, and decide for yourself whether this is smart safety policy or another case of government going too far.
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