NFL players banned from post game interactions and jersey exchanges
Social distancing beings again when the football game ends, according to the NFL.
If you’re going to the NFL for COVID-19 logic, it’s best to look elsewhere.
As part of the fight against a virus that has caused a global pandemic, a new set of rules was just released by the NFL which details how players and coaches are to conduct themselves on the field after the game is over. These new rules specifically prohibit all postgame interactions that do not occur at least six feet apart, as well as jersey exchanges between players.
NFL teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and jersey exchanges between players will be prohibited during the 2020 season, sources say.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 9, 2020
Another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.
It rings a little hollow considering the few minutes of social distancing after the game was preceded by roughly three hours of non-stop contact.
Will the new jersey protocols actually solve any problems?
The postgame handshakes between coaches and players have produced some seriously entertaining moments. Just look back to 2011 when Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh got into a skirmish after Harbaugh was a bit too aggressive with his handshake.
While the jersey swaps are not as entertaining as the handshakes, they are a great part of the game that shows respect between players.
Regardless of their value to the game, the rule is ultimately pointless.
It really doesn’t make any sense that everyone on the team will be allowed to be in constant and close contact with others while the game is going on, but suddenly it becomes too dangerous when the game is over.
The NFL has good intentions with this rule, but it is futile nonetheless.