NFL teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and jersey exchanges between players will be prohibited during the 2020 season, sources say.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 9, 2020
Another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.
One player who found the new rules somewhat amusing and ironic is San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, who questions the NFL's thinking. Yes, limiting post-game interactions will help, but that's still after players just finished engaging in a full three-hour battle involving tackling and other close-quarters play.
This is a perfect example of NFL thinking in a nutshell. Players can go engage in a full contact game and do it safely. However, it is deemed unsafe for them to exchange jerseys after said game. 😂🤣😂 https://t.co/fWefsUSVDc
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 9, 2020
Sherman wasn't the only one who noticed the irony.
thats DAMN SILLY bro.. 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/QDOwn2G3bc
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) July 9, 2020
So we can tackle each other for 60min but can't exchange jersey that takes 2 mins😂😂😂 https://t.co/5RKq54T0mH
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) July 9, 2020
LOL never mind the game where players will be constantly be in close contact sweating and breathing heavily on one another for 3 hours https://t.co/uRjWtJbfiG
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) July 9, 2020
😂😂😂😂 Cmon man. I know I just TACKLED you 3 mins ago but I'm gonna have to mail you my jersey. https://t.co/UiCFLoewiT
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) July 9, 2020
Training camp kicks off later this month, and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is pushing for the elimination of 11-on-11 activities during practices — both in training camp and potentially in-season. It also wants to cancel the entire preseason, which has been deemed unnecessary. The NFL, however, would like to keep two weeks of the exhibition schedule, proposing to cancel Weeks 1 and 4 of the preseason.
It's also worth noting that Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that coaches and players won't be required to wear masks on the sidelines.
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
The ban on postgame jersey exchanges was included in NFL-NFLPA game-day protocols that clubs received last night. Other notable changes for 2020:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 9, 2020
- On-field fan seating is prohibited.
- Both teams must travel to the stadium via bus.
- Media will be banned from the locker room. https://t.co/WizWrySFvU
As for the jersey swaps, Rapoport reports that the decision was jointly agreed upon by both the NFL and NFLPA.
One note on this: This prohibition of jersey swaps was jointly agreed upon by both parties and endorsed by the NFLPA. https://t.co/ovKPcCwaD9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 9, 2020
