Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The revelation by Chargers coach Anthony Lynn in the season premiere of Hard knuckles that he invited COVID-19 speculation about how many other players and coaches and staff had it in the offseason, but did not make it public. In turn, that invites speculation is the question of whether the NFL’s success in managing the virus – since Monday six teams had zero positive tests – has been fueled by the fact that many players and coaches and staff are currently the COVID-19 have antibodies, and thus (as long as the antibodies last) can not be infected.
Per the source of the league, the momentum is strong, with in some cases a predictable pattern emerging, as players who have spent the offseason in places like Texas, Florida, or California are more likely to have the antibodies.
Teams test antibodies on a voluntary basis, and information on the outcome of these tests is not provided. It is possible that a significant percentage of players and coaches and staff have the antibodies and therefore do not test positive.
This is where this dynamic becomes interesting, and potentially concerning, to the fore: It is believed that the antibodies have only a limited life. If they turn down the season, the risk of a positive test returns.
Depending on the actual number of players and coaches and staff already infected, this may set the stage for a potential outbreak later, when the antibodies disappear and the possibility of a second infection arises.
