The National Football League is desperately trying to find a way to put its product on the field in 2020, however, the coronavirus pandemic seems to have a timeline of its own.
On Thursday, one of the nation’s leading medical experts – Dr. Anthony Fauci – gave his thoughts on whether or not football is likely to be played this season.
“Unless players are essentially in a bubble – insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day – it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci told CNN. “If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.”
The NFL responded shortly thereafter with a statement from its own expert, chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills.
The NFLPA was also quick to respond, with a message from the union’s medical director, Thom Mayer.
All three experts seem to agree that testing will be one of the most important factors in ensuring player safety. But just exactly how the protocols will be put in place remains a major discrepancy.
