FOX analyst Brady Quinn calls out NFL on scheduling issues
NFL fans have gotten their taste of weekday football the last two seasons due to COVID-19. Monday night, one former NFL quarterback called for more.
Brady Quinn took to Twitter to share his thoughts on prime time NFL games during the week. Until last season, the league only played games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday — with the occasional Saturday game late in the year. Fans have seen games on Tuesday, Wednesday and even Friday in a couple cases.
Quinn, like many NFL fans, wants more than just three days worth of games.
“I said it last year and I’ll say it again,” Quinn tweeted. “MORE @NFL games in prime time through out the week. Spaces out games for player safety, better exposure for all markets/brands, allows more attention for fantasy/Gambling.”
In Week 14, three games got postponed due to COVID-19 issues. Quinn’s former team, the Cleveland Browns, were supposed to play the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, but wound up playing on Monday before Monday Night Football. Two games — the Washington Football Team vs. Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams — are being played Tuesday.
If you’re keeping score at home, that means Week 14 had games on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Week 15 begins Thursday with the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans. That’s a lot of football for viewing — or gambling — pleasure.
NFL makes major change to COVID-19 testing protocols
The NFL is set to make a groundbreaking change to its COVID-19 testing protocols, Yahoo! Sports reports. Beginning next week, the league will no longer require weekly tests for vaccinated players who are asymptomatic.
The announcement has led to criticism from some, who believe fewer tests will result in faster spread of the virus.
“These new protocols will result in everyone in the NFL coming into contact with COVID,” sports epidemiologist Binney said. “The hope is if you’re vaccinated — and especially if you’re boosted — you’ll be able to fight off the virus with no or mild symptoms. But unless you’re boosted it’s quite likely you’ll contract the virus and perhaps spread it to others, as well.”
Fully vaccinated players will still be subject to “targeted testing,” per the league memo. Such testing will fall under the discretion of the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer. It will be based on position groups and staff cohorts.
The move comes after more than 100 players tested positive for the virus in the past week. It is likely meant to decrease the amount of players who will be forced to sit out, lessening the possibility of canceled games.
Players will still have the option to volunteer to test if they desire, but may be inclined not to if they feel a positive test would rule them out. The new NFL COVID-19 testing protocols also state that players still “retain the option to attend meetings virtually and wear a mask within the facility.”