:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67039118/1188983370.jpg.0.jpg)
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Thursday morning that the NFL has continued to announce additional guidelines for teams to follow during the upcoming season. The most notable change comes in the form of prohibiting opposing teams from participating in jersey swaps, which has become one of the most-popular traditions in the league amongst players.
According to Pelissero, the NFL is restricting any postgame interaction within six feet of anyone, which also means no handshakes, fist bumps, and praying in a group.
Other game day protocols: Coaches and players won’t be required to wear masks on the sidelines. Everyone else in the bench does have to wear a mask. https://t.co/ovKPcCwaD9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 9, 2020
NFL insider Ian Rapoport also chimed in, reporting that the NFL is not requiring coaches and players to wear masks while on the sidelines during the game. However, everyone else on the sidelines must be wearing one.
In all honesty, this announcement doesn’t make a ton of sense. All of these guidelines are being put in place for the players’ safety. But what good is social distancing immediately following a three-hour contest where they exchange hits and bodily fluids? It all seems a bit redundant at this point if they’re going to be playing a full game as it is.
What are all your thoughts on the matter? Should the NFL just let players do their normal traditions following games? Discuss.