For Better or For Worse, NFL Plans For Normal Season

The NFL will begin the 2020 regular season without delay; at least that’s the plan per Executive Vice President Jeff Pash.

Games will be played in front of fans in a traditional format despite other major sports leagues planning to incorporate social distancing guidelines into their games.

The only real change the NFL has made is the cancellation of foreign games.

With the NFL’s season kicking off in the fall, we might not see such a widespread pandemic at that time.

If research into treating COVID-19 continues at the current pace, the virus could find itself contained to a few isolated or underdeveloped regions.

While researchers project the virus could still be a factor into the fall, some predict COVID-19 could become a seasonal ailment.

It might not bode well for the NFL to continue normally in stadiums packed with thousands of fans.

While it may hurt the league’s coffers, fan safety should remain a priority.

If things go south, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could be the most vilified man in sports. The stubbornness of his NFL might come back to haunt him if the league fails to prepare for a distanced season.

Sticking to decisions is a major strength of Goodell, as shown in his loyalty to the scientifically unproven “Deflategate” rhetoric.

Let’s just hope that keeping Tom Brady out of four games is the worst Goodell’s dogmatism causes.

Let’s hope the season’s start doesn’t spread the virus.

After all, the amount of drama, tension, and rivalry in the NFL seems to be at an all-time high. It would be a shame if the season were cancelled after an outbreak with so many stories developing.

Before we run straight up the gut and into a potentially life-threatening situation, let’s also take a moment to scan the field and realize that a bit of social distancing might prevent the spread of a deadly disease.

After all, it’s pretty hard to make money as a league if your decisions threaten lives.

The NFL’s gamble-like announcement could be a trial balloon to see how fans react to the reopening of the sports entertainment market.

The NBA, NHL, UFC, and NASCAR have all received positive feedback from their resumption plans.

The statement from Pash might be a toe in the waters of public opinion.

Judging by the public’s reaction, the water might be fine.