As the first set of rookies report to training camps, the NFL and NFLPA have gone back and forth about key issues. But the sides are now closer to an agreement.
The NFLPA made daily testing a high priority, and that pursuit looks to have succeeded. The NFL has agreed to test for COVID-19 daily, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). Daily tests will be administered during the first two weeks of camp, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets, before a re-evaluation of the policy will take place.
If the positive rate drops below 5% over the first two weeks of camp, the league will move to every-other-day tests, Pelissero adds. This will apply to players, coaches, staffers and certain front office members. The league expects test results to emerge within 24 hours, according to NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills (Twitter link). Upon arrival at team headquarters, players and staffers will only be allowed to enter their respective facilities if they test negative twice, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. BioReference Laboratories will conduct the tests.
This comes after a coordinated social media blitz from high-profile players Sunday. Other key issues remain unresolved — from financial solutions to the return-to-work acclimation period represent two of those — but the players have moved the needle on two key health-related matters Monday. The NFL preseason will now feature either one game or no games, with the league backing down from seeking two.
It remains to be seen if football can proceed during a pandemic, given the nature of the sport, the personnel required and the lack of a bubble setup. But daily testing will undoubtedly help the league as it attempts to find out.
good plan
I don’t understand how it is that professional sports leagues like the NFL are able to have daily testing with rapid turnaround results when for most other people such treatment is unavailable. The hoops I would have to go through are numerous, for example, and there is no scenario in which I or anyone I know could be tested daily. It’s a brutal fact, I guess. The lives of professional athletes are worth more than the lives of others, except to those others for whom the lives of professional athletes matter less than they might think.
The NFL isn’t canceling the season. They’ll rig the numbers just too make sure kickoff at 1pm is on time. And personally I’m happy about that. Healthy 20+ year olds aren’t affected by Corona. So play the games guys, get the Skins a new name, and release Madden 20.
‘Healthy 20+ year olds aren’t affected by Corona.’
For the ten millionth time, it’s about people they’ll come in contact with. The NFL has no bubble plans, there will be constant travel, and even the players are complaining about how ill-prepared the league’s safety measures are. Even without fans, people will be coming in contact with tons of other people.
COVID is very easily spread and you can have it (and therefore spread it) without showing any symptoms whatsoever. This is why it’s so dangerous.
Further, there’s no way to say that ‘healthy 20+ year olds aren’t affected by Corona’ because we have almost zero long-term data to look at.
Look at the other pro players giving up their money. They’re pissed. Not happening w/ Goodell.
JJB0811: healthy 20+ year-olds aren’t affected? I don’t know, JJB0811. Freddie Freeman reported that his body temperature was 104.5° with COVID-19. Have you heard the story of Tommy Hotovoy, the Cubs’ pitching coach? Not only are Covid symptoms serious, but their long-term effect could impair the health of afflicted individuals for decades. Please don’t conclude that because many who acquire the virus are asymtomatic, that that means the symptoms that are experienced are not serious. I would appreciate it if you would re-think your position.
OMG what should I do? Give up millions this year in case I get the flu? But I’m fine playing in GB, Chicago, KC, Seattle, NE and every other major cold weather city to not get sick.
Madden *21, pal
So what is washingtons new name. Thought they were releasing that today. 450pm
Absolutely pointless unless they are getting results the same day
what changes after the first 2 weeks? Virus ain’t goin nowhere
This will be a hot mess. I will be surprised if they make it to week 1. Positive tests will equal quarantines, including and especially other players. It won’t take long before a team is depleted.