Darius Slay initially believed there shouldn’t have been an NFL season during pandemic

Darius Slay had doubts about the NFL conducting its season in the middle of a global pandemic.

Even though the NFL has exuded confidence in its ability to run a regular season during an ongoing global pandemic, it wasn’t going to be easy. The league got a taste of that firsthand this past week, between the outbreak on the Tennessee Titans and the positive COVID-19 test results of New England Patriots stars Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore. These are concerning times for players, who are trying to ensure not only their health, but the well-being of their families.

During a conference call with the media, Philadelphia Eagles star cornerback Darius Slay revealed his belief that there shouldn’t have been a season during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he did stress to the media shortly afterwards that these were his feelings prior to the start of the campaign, and that he switched course after learning about the league’s health protocols.

NFL’s protocols are getting tested

While the league has expressed confidence in the protocols, they did have to strengthen them just four weeks into the season.

The Tennessee Titans have had to deal with a coronavirus outbreak in their own facility, which forced the NFL to postpone their Week 4 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But after the team was placed in an unscheduled bye week, players organized an unauthorized workout at a local school, despite the league telling them not to participate in in-person activities. In fact, the league made an example out of the Titans during a league-wide meeting, where photos were shown of players failing to wear proper Personal Protective Equipment inside the team facility, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Now with Tennessee’s COVID-19 count to 22 players and personnel, their Week 5 game against the Buffalo Bills is in jeopardy.

Then, there’s the Patriots. Last Saturday, Newton tested positive for the coronavirus, putting the team’s Week 4 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs in doubt. After consecutive days with negative tests, the league moved the contest to Monday night. On Wednesday, however, it was revealed that Gilmore tested positive, but was asymptomatic. Gilmore played in all of New England’s defensive snaps and was seen hugging Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after the game.

The NFL has now developed a no-nonsense attitude towards its COVID-19 protocols, because the goal is to have the 2020 season conclude on time. If any teams or players violate the adjusted rules, they will lay down the hammer.