NFLPA READY TO START SEASON
would side with the view of the people who are paying them, saying it’s OK for teams forge ahead?
Maybe that’s not completely fair to the doctors, but it sure comes to mind.
On the positive side, during that call, they did get info on the Infectious Disease Emergency Response from teams that they will be reviewing to make sure they’re in line with previously discussed protocols. So that’s progress, and once that’s agreed on, they can take care of other issues, such as what happens with the salary cap going forward with the expected revenue losses, and how best to settle that.
Four: Both Smith and Tretter outlined scenarios that needed to be addressed with regard to players who test positive, and making sure players will still get paid, and have medical insurance to cover future implications. With respect to the possible spread, Tretter, a center, painted an interesting scenario: If one offensive lineman got the virus, did that mean the entire line would be quarantined and miss the next game?
“If I just came from a practice where I’ve been in a huddle with all of my offensive teammates, and spent individual drills with all my linemen, then blocking the defensive linemen and linebackers all afternoon, aren’t we talking about 35 guys being in close contact with me,” said Tetter. “And if they’re all in quarantine for the next couple days, what does Sunday’s game look like? And those are the questions the league needs to offer their opinion on how this will move forward… I mean, one positive test on a wrong day late in the week derails an entire team.”
Translation: This really needs no translation. It’s a legitimate concern, and one the league has to address.
Five: Smith was asked his level of optimism at getting all the concerns addressed. He provided this gem in response: “I don’t have one of those jobs that has to be pessimistic or optimistic. It just is.”
Translation: Spoken like a true lawyer.
Six: While trying to make decisions that are best for the players’ health and safety, Smith offered one simple and basic solution for all.
“We’re in a place right now, where very simply, what’s good for the country, is good for sports,” he said. “And, as simple as something like wearing a mask will have probably the most significant on the extent and whether sports return in this country. That’s not a political statement; that’s a common sense and scientific statement… nothing will bring fans back to our stadiums, than a simple decision across the country to wear a mask.”
Translation: He believes people’s attitudes toward the virus, inside and outside of football, are critical in giving sports a chance. He’s right. Unless people abide by the mask rules, and states don’t get lax with enforcing mask-wearing, the virus is going to spread.