All-world New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead can be counted among the group of players who are anxious to see how the NFL adapts to the novel coronavirus pandemic before its 2020 season gets on the move. The public health crisis has already impacted the NFL’s offseason calendar by canceling organized team activities earlier in the summer as well as the first and final weeks of preseason games. Further changes are expected as the situation develops.
Morstead responded to a public letter from NFL Players Association President JC Tretter, in which Tretter expressed frustration at the NFL’s response to the pandemic. Morstead pointed out that, “You can’t bend the virus to football. You have to bend football to the virus.”
That’s an important point to remember in a full-contact sport like football, which requires rosters bigger than those found in other professional sports like basketball or baseball — both of which are already grappling with how to handle coronavirus infections before they can resume their own 2020 seasons. With NFL training camp just weeks away, the clock is ticking louder on the league and the NFLPA to find ways to get to business safely.
