Fans in the stands will need to wear face masks for the NFL comeback.
Players on the field? Face protection will be optional.
That’s according to a report by Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. On Thursday, Garafolo tweeted sketches of the latest iteration of the Oakley mask that is meant to halt COVID-19’s potential to spread from player to player for the planned NFL season.
A note is included in that report that “the expectation is that they will be recommended but not required.”
Update on face shields that the NFL developed with Oakley to prevent the spread of Covid: The expectation is that they will be recommended but NOT required for players, according to a source informed of the talks between the NFL and the NFLPA. The league had been pushing for everyone to use them. pic.twitter.com/ikar8AmEF0
– Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 23, 2020
Add it to the growing list of bad ideas associated with the return of sports.
This is what is designed to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 among players as they travel through pandemic hot spots such as Miami, Phoenix, and Houston. But if you’re uncomfortable or hindering your style as a player, don’t worry about it.
JJ Watt fought shield mandate
Houston Texans All-Pro passer JJ Watt appears to be to blame for the lack of a mandate. Because he has made legitimate demands on the NFL to resemble a COVID-19 safety plan, he has also opposed this more basic safety measure.
As JJ Watt demands league accountability, his pressure appears to weaken a basic COVID-19 security measure. (AP Photo / Gary Landers)
Do you want to put something around my mouth?
Watt told Pro Football Talk in early July that if face shields are required, he is likely to be left out of the season.
“My second year in the league, I thought it would be great,” said Watt. “I put a visor on my helmet. I thought, ‘It looks so cool, I want to wear a visor.’ I had it for about three practice periods and I said, ‘Take off this fool, I’m going to die here.’ Only the face.
“So now you want to put something around my mouth? No. You can keep that. If that comes into play, I don’t think you’ll see me on the field. “
Which is right. No player in any league should play COVID-19 this season if they don’t feel comfortable or feel safe doing so. And they don’t owe anyone a detailed explanation of why.
But the real effect of Watt’s protest is pressure on the league to limit a security measure. Do we know that decision makers are inclined to recommend rather than demand because of Watt? Not.
But it’s not difficult to do the math considering the pressure came from one of the league’s most respected and high-profile players.
Of course, all these details assume that there will be a season to start.
