It would be an understatement to call Jamal Adams an opinionated person.
New York’s All-Pro safety always has something to say about whatever is going on in football and, more recently, around the United States. He has used his platform for good to fight the rampant social and racial injustices plaguing America. He also frequently voices his displeasure with the Jets and his desire for a new contract.
On Thursday, Adams tried to tackle an issue much bigger than his salary for the upcoming season. In doing so, the player who calls himself “The President” ironically offered a take so poorly thought out that it would be fit for the White House.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, one of the million-dollar questions surrounding sports right now is whether or not fans should be allowed to attend games in 2020. Despite the blatant risk in allowing spectators into the building this upcoming season, Adams believes fans should be the ones who decide if they can enter stadiums come Week 1 of the regular season. Nevermind the health experts who have been monitoring the ill effects of coronavirus for months.
“Not having fans in stadiums would be beyond wack,” Adams tweeted. “Let fans decide if they want to show up and support. Have them sign a waiver & require masks!”
The question of whether or not fans should be able to attend games is not as cut and dry as Adams seems to think. Having fans sign a waiver before entering the stadium might seem like a great idea on the surface, but all it does is remove liability from the organization hosting the event if someone were to contract COVID-19. It does not prevent fans in attendance from getting sick, nor does it prevent them from spreading the virus to others.
Keeping fans out of stadiums is not about one individual getting sick. It is meant to prevent the widespread outbreak that could occur from thousands attending a sporting event. One person might be willing to risk their health to watch the Jets play, but signing a waiver does not protect those who did not attend.
Adams is right about one thing. Wearing a face mask does decrease the likelihood of spreading and contracting coronavirus. According to a study conducted by a team of researchers led by a Texas A&M professor, not wearing a face mask “dramatically increases a person’s chances of being infected with COVID-19.”
“Our results clearly show that airborne transmission via respiratory aerosols represents the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19,” said Renyi Zhang, Texas A&M professor of atmospheric sciences. “By analyzing the pandemic trends without face-covering using the statistical method and by projecting the trend, we calculated that over 66,000 infections were prevented by using a face mask in little over a month in New York City. We conclude that wearing a face mask in public corresponds to the most effective means to prevent inter-human transmission.”
However, despite the obvious benefits of wearing a face mask, there is still an inherent risk in allowing fans into stadiums. Fans can sign a waiver and agree in principle to wear a face mask at all times, but there is no guarantee they fully comply with those terms. It’s hard to trust every single fan entering a stadium will hold up their end of the bargain. Adams of all people should understand that right now as he tries to force his way out of New York.
Obviously, players want fans in attendance in 2020. The teams and league do as well. Players feed off the crowd’s energy and, frankly, sports are not the same without spectators. However, it is simply not safe yet for anyone involved. That doesn’t just include the players or fans, but also the aforementioned non-attendees who come into contact with fans and the various team employees that would be required for a gameday experience that includes fans.
For some reason, Adams has yet to come to terms with this reality. He wants fans in the seats in 2020, even though the risk heavily outweighs the reward. The desires of an individual are not as important as the needs of society, and that doesn’t just apply to Adams. Everyone wants the world to go back to normal, but it’s simply not there yet.
Adams might be willing to die on a football field, but there’s no need for fans to risk a similar fate at NFL stadiums this fall. If something changes in regard to the United State’s ability to handle the virus between now and then, then there’s nothing wrong with reevaluating at such a time.
Until that happens, though, advocating for bodies in the seats is simply irresponsible.