As the NFL barrels closer to the 2020 season, the uncertainty and risk involved with playing in the midst of a global pandemic continue to weigh on players’ minds. Not only have some players tested positive for COVID-19, but more than 50 players have also opted out of the season because of the pandemic.
As of now, however, the plan is to play football.
Since camps opened, 56 players have tested positive for COVID-19 and 107 have tested positive since the offseason, according to the NFL Players Association. Many more players – including four Jets – have been added to the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list – which is reserved for players who either tested positive or were in close contact with someone who tested positive. Those numbers will surely increase as the summer progresses, and it will be up to the players and the teams to be disciplined in limiting their exposure both at home and on the road.
Linebacker Avery Williamson knows this will be tough for players to do year-round, even with the precautions already in place at the federal, state, league and team levels.
“There’s a lot of guys in this league. A lot of guys do a lot of stupid stuff,” he told reporters Wednesday. “I feel like it’s definitely tough for guys to do the right thing the whole year. That’s just my opinion.”
Williamson’s opinion has some merit based on what’s happened in other sports that have already returned.
The NBA built a bubble inside Disney World to isolate players, coaches and staff from the outside world to restart its season. The league hasn’t had a positive case since play restarted on July 30. MLB, however, saw outbreaks on multiple teams and has postponed more than 20 games due to outbreaks on multiple teams. Reports even said that some players broke league protocols by visiting casinos and clubs.
The NFL can’t have that if it wants to finish its season. But, as Williamson noted, there are a lot of players who do a lot of stupid things – even in the middle of a pandemic. It will take a lot of self-discipline from both the players and teams, which includes a protocol violation hotline, but there are already reports of teams and coaches not following procedures.
Time will tell if the NFL will be able to keep it’s players, coaches, staff – and season – safe from a virus that has infiltrated almost every aspect of society.