Wow, it has been a roller coaster ride since the beginning of this year in the NFL landscape. In March, when the pandemic hit the entire world, and the NFL was no exception. I remember how it felt, I was so excited for the season and then on March 22 just like that, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that all games were suspended! As you can imagine, that announcement was like a kick in the gut for all the hard core NFL fans out there.
The initial suspension was for 2 weeks. Then as the pandemic worsened, the suspension of NFL games was stretched out to 11 weeks, with the potential for further extensions. Fortunately, we did not have to suffer too long as the league made a deal that allowed a certain amount of games to be played with safety protocols in place. Praise the NFL gods!
It has been an interesting ride so far. You’d expect that after such a long suspension, it would have taken the wind out of the league’s sails, but the games have been more intense than ever. Despite the long wait, the first games of the season were wild affairs, marked by multiple upsets and surprising victories. Players seemed to have made the best of the situation, practicing and working out even at home, with some turning to unconventional methods of preparation.
The running joke among the NFL fan base about how this season has been unprecedented in almost every way imaginable. But I guess the show must go on, in whatever form it takes. I’m just thankful that despite the pandemic the NFL has been able to make it work somehow. It’s insane to think about how many games have been suspended by the league and how far safety protocols have come in a short amount of time.
The NFL suspended a total of 438 regular-season games this season. Pretty incredible, right! It’s a testament to how committed the NFL was to making sure its fan base was as safe as possible. Of course, the pandemic isn’t over yet which means there will be weekly fluctuations as far as who is allowed to play or attend games. Still, this is a step in the right direction.
As far as the impact of the suspended games, the NFL has taken a financial hit of an estimated $7 billion, due to the loss of revenue for the season. Broadcast networks and sponsors have eased up a bit, and fans have been reduced in attendance. And of course, the players have been hit hard as well due to the reduction in salaries by 2.6%. But things are looking up and we can continue to hope that our sport will make a full recovery soon.
So despite the pandemic, the league has been flexing its resolution muscle and showing the world that it can still deliver thrilling and action packed games to the global fan base. It’s a win for everyone that the shirt story of NFL can still continue to resonate, even amidst a pandemic.
This season has been anything but normal and it’s certain that there will be more challenges to come. But with the determination and resilience displayed by the people of the NFL, I can’t help but feel confident that a bright future awaits the League.
The NFL landscape has drastically changed in these past months. We have seen a lot of things we normally wouldn’t, such as training camps and practices being held virtually. Coaches, players, and staff all mandated to wear masks and practice diligently from the safety of their homes or training grounds.
We’ve seen a whole new approach to the game as far as the Rules of Conduct that have even been imposed on the players to respect the bubble that they practiced and played in. And, due to the pandemic, teams have been split up into groups, isolated from each other.
Every player’s health and safety has been the league’s priority all season. Therefore, all venues have been rigorously sanitized and in-person contact has been minimized. The whole season has been focused on keeping the virus away from the league, ensuring its longevity and success.
The NFL even went so far as to create home-based bubbles that limit players’ contact with the outside world in attempts to prevent the contraction and spread of the virus. These bubbles also permit players to still practice and compete in games, while still taking care of their health.
I have been in awe watching the league come together to create a safe environment for their players to compete while following all the safety protocols. Seeing all 11 weeks of suspended games, I feel that the NFL and its teams have set an outstanding example of collective action in these trying times.