COVID-19 and the NFL
COVID-19 has been present in the world and this country for almost two years at this point. It caused a lot of lockdowns all around the globe which resulted in a few events being postponed and even cancel. The one area that was not exempt from this was the NFL. The league was able to play all its games the entire 2020 season, but with a few matchups being delayed. While that fact may have made some people angry, the NFL was just happy to have been able to play the entire schedule without canceling a contest. That would have caused the league to push back the playoffs to make up those games.
The NFL was hoping for 2021 to be relatively easier regarding the coronavirus. That held true for most of the season. However, this past week COVID reared its ugly head once again. Cases have skyrocketed since Thanksgiving. It has hit the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, and the Washington Football Team the hardest. It struck these teams so hard, that some games had to be postponed once again.
Criticism of the NFL
Players, coaches, and many others have been outspoken about how the NFL has mishandled the issue thus far this season. Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield recently shared his frustration with how poorly the league has managed this issue in 2021. Mayfield’s backup Case Keenum tested positive for the virus last Thursday. This means the Browns will be without their top two players at the position for their next game.
Mayfield specifically was displeased with how the NFL tested vaccinated players after contracting the virus. He was questioning the league’s decision to not reevaluate players even after they were asymptomatic. The NFL and NFLPA released a memo recently with updated policies regarding COVID-19. These new regulations stated that vaccinated players who show no symptoms of the coronavirus for 24 hours can be tested again for potential return to play. The protocols also made some changes to mask-wearing indoor being mandatory regardless of whether they got the shot or not.
The Future of COVID-19 and the NFL
People all around the world are growing more impatient and upset about the virus with every passing day. It has already affected people and caused some to make adjustments to how they live their lives. Many have come to question when COVID-19 will be a thing of the past. I hate to say it, but I do not see that happening anytime soon.
The virus tends to spread quickly during times when people come together indoors. The holidays are a perfect time for this to happen. As long as people still gather for these days, the coronavirus will continue to impact the NFL and other sports across the world. Maybe that can become a reality one day, but that day is most likely not this year, the next, and maybe not the year after that.
Closing Thoughts
This article was published on the Belly Up Sports website and specifically its NFL page. Belly Up Sports also has a Twitter page where you can interact with the network. I also have written for this outlet before so see my most recent story if you would like. If you would like to talk to me directly, feel free to chat with me on my Twitter as well. Try to keep it clean and proper. If you are incapable of doing so, ignore that completely and battle it out with me. Just a few warnings for those who dare challenge me. I am highly competitive and hate to admit when I am wrong. So be prepared for a war of words.
