Deshaun Watson thinks NFL’s ban on jersey swaps is silly
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson called out the NFL’s logic behind banning jersey swaps in 2020 due to coronavirus concerns.
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson pointed out the logical inconsistencies in the NFL’s plan to ban postgame jersey swaps for the 2020 season, implying that prohibiting the postgame tradition would do little to prevent the spread of coronavirus in a contact sport.
Watson was one of many players who took to Twitter to express his feelings after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news Thursday afternoon.
https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson/status/1281268448937443328
Watson joined San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil among the prominent NFL voices criticizing the NFL’s decision.
Their logic is that, in the event the season takes place, constant tackling, blocking, and close contact are much more likely to transmit COVID-19 than a postgame jersey swap. It’s hard to argue that this is nothing more than a PR move on the NFL’s part, and former team doctor David Chao agrees.
I have to agree with @deshaunwatson. This move is more about optics than medical reality. With the concept of viral load and how CoronaVirus is transmitted, this is a low risk event compared to the playing of the game.
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) July 9, 2020
With NFL fans and players alike criticizing the league’s decision, it’s possible, albeit unlikely, that the league could reverse course. The ban, simply put, is a transparent attempt to save face, and is not likely to mitigate the risk of coronavirus transmission any less than the actual games will.
Watson likely will not be the last player to speak out against the jersey swap ban, as it has become a customary way for players to show respect for their opponents after games.
Related Story. Richard Sherman calls out NFL jersey swap ban. light
While it remains to be seen whether or not the NFL season will take place as scheduled in 2020, it seems to be a universal opinion, from both a logical and medical standpoint, that the jersey swap ban is ridiculous.
Football is simply not a sport where social distancing can be enforced on the field, and the only true way for the NFL to mitigate the risk of players getting infected would be to cancel the games. While fans and players hope this is not the case, it’s the reality the league currently faces.