In light of our first opt out in the NFL, here’s a reminder of why some guys may choose not to play.:
Source: ESPN
Here is the problem with playing now..
— TGO’S DAD. (@tgo_99) June 30, 2020
if it’s not good enough to have Fans, how is it good enough to have, Spitting, water bottle swishing & spittin, body checking, after whistle scrums, shower stall, & dressing room sharing men all in an enclosed space.? TIMES 12.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019-20 sports seasons came to a screeching halt. MLS and MLB haven’t been able to begin their seasons while the NHL and NBA’s seasons were postponed due to the virus. The NFL is trying to act as normal as possible navigating the pandemic with 2020 season just a few weeks away.
The major concern for all of these leagues is preventing a major outbreak amongst their players and respective staff. While many players seem eager to start playing again, some have concerns about restarting the season. The lack of knowledge we have regarding the virus, it is amazing more athletes are not more concerned about the virus and its long term consequences. Actually as one Tweep put it:
I’m surprised more hasn’t been said about the risks to professional athletes on contracting a respiratory disease that has been known to permanently damage lungs and other organs. It could be potentially career-ending for any player unlucky enough to get severe symptoms.
— Jeffrey Smith (@JefftheRed) June 30, 2020
One can assume players are either confidant in their respective league’s medical personnel or their desire to win that coveted trophy outweighs any health concerns they may have. While protocols are established to protect the players, it is easy to see Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers has a valid point regarding players following those protocols.
Protocols range from athletes, their families, their roommates or cohabitants must be tested like the NFL to living in a completely isolated bubble at Disney World for the NBA’s season restart and Finals. The NHL is creating a bubble in Canada with two hub cities for their playoffs. MLB and the PGA have been playing without fans but still testing its players. The WNBA’s bubble is also in Florida at the IMG Academy.
But here lies a serious question as leagues go full steam ahead: when is enough to say this is not a good idea? For instance since reopening training camps, multiple NFL players from different teams have tested positive and the NFLPA sent a statement that players should not be working out together. Further, the Milwaukee Bucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, St Louis Blues, and Sacramento Kings to name a few teams have had to shut down their facilities due to multiple players or staff testing positive for the virus. Seven WNBA players have tested positive as well.
Yes, this is all pre-bubble testing results. But what about those individuals who have false negatives? What happens when a staff member or a players gets so bored and just has to have some fun whether it be a club or the movies? Or, say that a person just can’t wait and “needs” companionship and sneaks off to get it? Or worse yet, sneaks said companionship into the bubble?
Many athletes are not going to stay within the bubble, and those athletes will be putting everyone who follows the rules lives in danger. So, the question becomes does having the season outweigh the risks? I guess time will tell.
a poem for nhl owners:
— Hannah Stuart (@HockeywthHannah) July 4, 2020
roses are red
violets are blue
playing this season of hockey is gonna kill someone
i hope you know that’s on you