Many New Orleans Saints players have made a tradition of exchanging jerseys with their opponents and peers across the league after games, but that won’t be an option in 2020. The NFL is outlawing postgame jersey swaps in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, as well as any other interactions between opposing teams following the final whistle. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported the news, adding that other precautions like on-field fan appearances and postgame locker room interviews will be prohibited.
It’s a jarring move considering that these same players will be running into each other for hours during the games themselves. Cameron Jordan will spend all afternoon chasing Teddy Bridgewater around in the backfield, but he won’t be allowed to shake hands and offer a “Good game,” once it’s over. While the NFL should be adopting an abundance of caution — coronavirus infections are inevitable in this team-based, high-contact sport — this kind of sends a confusing message. If it’s too dangerous for players to interact after games, doesn’t that mean they shouldn’t be together in the first place?
