NFL's COVID-19 Protocols Demonstrate College Football's Growing Challenges to Play

The Best of Sports Illustrated takes a look at how racial issues are impacting recruiting, and how NFL players called out the league after safety issues

If you saw our weekend item about How Many Football Players Might Opt Out of the 2020 Season? the National Football League and the NFLAP came to an agreement on Monday to have daily coronavirus testing during the first two weeks of training camp. 

They also agreed that the rates of positive results will determine the next subsequent course of action. If the rate drops below 5 percent for players and team officials. The two sides are continuing to talk about other issues/concerns. 

However, this came after the players demanded the league step up in a major way to try and create a safe work environment.

The NFL sent a memo to all 32 clubs Saturday confirming that rookies will report to camp on Tuesday. Quarterbacks and injured players are set to arrive on Thursday, while all other players will report on July 28. 

Rookies on the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans were due to report today since they are scheduled to kick off the regular season on Thursday, Sept. 10.

However, the announcement made before numerous safety issues had been resolved didn't sit well with the players. Dozens, including Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, were among a powerful group of players calling for the NFL to take immediate action.

They took part in a coordinated social media blitz Sunday afternoon using the hashtag "WeWantToPlay." 

I am concerned.
My wife is pregnant.@NFL Training camp is about to start..

And there’s still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety. 🤷🏾

We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020

We need Football! We need sports! We need hope! The NFL’s unwillingness to follow the recommendations of their own medical experts will prevent that. If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. Get it done @NFL

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) July 19, 2020

We need Football! We need sports! We need hope! The NFL’s unwillingness to follow the recommendations of their own medical experts will prevent that. If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. Get it done @NFL

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) July 19, 2020

Once again in the interest of keeping everyone (players & fans) as informed as possible, here is an updated list of what we as players know and don’t know as the first group gets set to report to training camp tomorrow.#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/xQcjs33zgM

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 19, 2020

Something to keep in mind is that a lot of what is now be negotiated at the NFL level doesn't exist for college players, or at least not on the same level. 

The NCAA recently adopted uniform COVID-19 testing guidelines that include once-a-week testing, 10-day isolation for positives. For anyone exposed to someone who has tested positive, say after a game, that number is even higher — a full two weeks.

Of all the major sports, football remains the sport with the most to overcome, especially at the collegiate level.

If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. #WeWantToPlay

— Myles Garrett (@Flash_Garrett) July 19, 2020

Recruiting 

During a normal recruiting season, college coaches visit high school players and players visit campuses. Impressions are made in person. This year? Beyond Zoom calls, recruits observe from afar, largely on Twitter. And for young Black players, there's much to weigh.

Tyler Booker is the No. 1 offensive-line prospect in his junior class. He has offers from Alabama, Oklahoma, Southern California ... and he's watching closely how coaches are dealing with today's racial reckoning. 

What those coaches say will impact where he — and others — play football, and alter the NCAA landscape.

“When I think about the kids I coach, and I see the disconnect between them and the men recruiting them it scares me,” said Booker's position coach at IMG Academy in Florida. 

Chantel Jennings has the story on the racial disconnect in recruiting, while Sports Illustrated's Corey Parson spoke with the IMG Academy top recruit to discuss how young black student-athletes are listening closely to how prospective coaches talk about the country's racial reckoning, and how it will impact their future choices.

Sports Illustrated

Did you notice?

• The Cowboys have had 13 years of incredible quarterback luck and are letting it go to waste.

• How NBA refs are adjusting to life inside the bubble. 

• Denied permission to play in Toronto, the Blue Jays may have to play their games this year in Buffalo but they’re apparently working on finding another major league stadium to call home, perhaps Pittsburgh. 

The lighter side

• How the NBA picked the barbers who will spend three months in the bubble.

• A fox is going around a Virginia neighborhood stealing everyone’s newspapers. 

• Seriously, this is good:

“Hello, you’ve reached the NBA bubble snitch line…” pic.twitter.com/N056yx4BlE

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 17, 2020

• Down in front!

The non-lighter side

Freddie Freeman says his "scariest night" while battling COVID-19 was when his fever spiked to 104.5 degrees.

The @Braves star said a prayer that night: "Please don't take me." pic.twitter.com/xm9DWaEtyl

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 18, 2020

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