Hey NFL ... Take a time out

Thought for the day

It seems like every hour we are learning more and more about the impact COVID is having on players (and, yes, coaches). As of today, the Raiders-Browns game set for Saturday is being pushed to Monday, and both the Rams-Seahawks and the Washington-Eagles games are scheduled to take place Tuesday instead of Sunday. Who knows if other games will be similarly affected?

Given how quickly the Delta and Omicron variants are spreading in locker rooms and on the field, I wonder if it’s time the NFL takes a time out? That’s right. Cancel all remaining games this month. Give players and coaches a chance to quarantine, if necessary, for the next two weeks. If I had to guess, I’d say the owners won’t be happy if this happens; but, which is more important? The health of the players and coaches or the wealth of the owners?

We live in uncertain times. Like my dad used to tell me, “Be flexible. Trees bend in strong winds. Those that do typically survive. Those that don’t often end up damaged or uprooted.” I realize the NFL’s roots run deep in American culture. The question everyone needs to answer now is this: At what point does the cost of playing in an unpredictable, dangerous COVID world outweigh the benefits of taking a much-needed time out?

-DF