THE BREAKDOWN
BENJAMIN FADER '21 EDITOR IN CHIEF
As sports have slowly returned after the COVID-19 hiatus, they bring familiar faces to new places in order to play the sport they love while the leagues try to keep the athletes safe from the ongoing pandemic. Big-name athletes take the stage once again. Only now, the colors they sport look a little different than the uniforms that fans are accustomed to seeing.
When the NBA finished their season in the Orlando bubble at Disney, fans once again were able to enjoy a wonderful season from Anthony Davis, the seven-time NBA all-star that joined the Lakers this season, helping lead Los Angeles to their first NBA Championship in 10 years. 2018 MVP Mookie Betts, the newest member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and 2019 MLB first team pitcher Gerrit Cole, the newest member of the New York Yankees, made huge contributions to their new squads this season and are currently competing for a championship. The biggest jersey swap took place in the NFL, as six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady ended his 20-year career with the New England Patriots. He moved to Tampa, Florida this offseason and has already made an impact with the Buccaneers, who have set high goals this season after a huge acquisition. |
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, 7/7/20 - Practice courts located in the ballroom of Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel. Chris Burkhardt/ NBC Sports
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Although many other great players switched teams this year, it is rare to see so many elite athletes move on to new places all at once. Even with all of these stars playing for new clubs, most of the attention is on something much bigger: COVID-19. The worldwide pandemic continues to affect how the leagues are operating, as they want to keep all of their athletes as safe as possible. Some protocols in place include multiple tests every week, staff and non-active players wearing masks, social distancing when possible, limited or no fan attendance at games and more.
Despite these safety protocols, the MLS, MLB, NFL and more leagues have all recorded positive cases, which creates the question: are the current protocols enough to keep the players safe?
“I do believe that they are doing the best they can,” said senior Karl Quist-Therson. Quist-Therson also brought up that “the use of virtual fans is a great way to have fan interaction, while keeping everyone safe.” The NBA, WNBA, US Open and MLB have used forms of virtual fans set up around the stadiums in a best attempt to recreate a game-like atmosphere. This allows fans to be safe while interacting with the games and can help the athletes feel some normality during the games.
The football coach at Howard, Coach Hannon, says that he does not think more protocols need to be set in place, “however, MORE science/technology may help… the virus is like nothing we’ve ever experienced before.” The NFL did slightly tweak their protocols after a couple recent cases, but Coach Hannon is right. Once better treatment options (and a vaccine) are released, the athletes will have better options to stay safe. Until then, the athletes still face the risk of contracting the virus.
Even with the risks, having sports back is important to many people in our country. Senior Holly Buell thinks that sports were rushed back too quickly “because it present[s] the idea that America is recovering and following behind the other countries.”
Even some athletes think that their leagues started either too early or did not include sufficient protocols to allow a safe experience for the players. The number of opt-outs included nine in the NBA, 19 in the MLB, 67 in the NFL, six in the NHL and multiple in other leagues such as MLS, PGA and the US Open.
Despite continuous positive cases in most of the leagues possibly threatening an end to seasons, the fans cheer on their teams and are happy that sports are back to entertain the country.
Despite these safety protocols, the MLS, MLB, NFL and more leagues have all recorded positive cases, which creates the question: are the current protocols enough to keep the players safe?
“I do believe that they are doing the best they can,” said senior Karl Quist-Therson. Quist-Therson also brought up that “the use of virtual fans is a great way to have fan interaction, while keeping everyone safe.” The NBA, WNBA, US Open and MLB have used forms of virtual fans set up around the stadiums in a best attempt to recreate a game-like atmosphere. This allows fans to be safe while interacting with the games and can help the athletes feel some normality during the games.
The football coach at Howard, Coach Hannon, says that he does not think more protocols need to be set in place, “however, MORE science/technology may help… the virus is like nothing we’ve ever experienced before.” The NFL did slightly tweak their protocols after a couple recent cases, but Coach Hannon is right. Once better treatment options (and a vaccine) are released, the athletes will have better options to stay safe. Until then, the athletes still face the risk of contracting the virus.
Even with the risks, having sports back is important to many people in our country. Senior Holly Buell thinks that sports were rushed back too quickly “because it present[s] the idea that America is recovering and following behind the other countries.”
Even some athletes think that their leagues started either too early or did not include sufficient protocols to allow a safe experience for the players. The number of opt-outs included nine in the NBA, 19 in the MLB, 67 in the NFL, six in the NHL and multiple in other leagues such as MLS, PGA and the US Open.
Despite continuous positive cases in most of the leagues possibly threatening an end to seasons, the fans cheer on their teams and are happy that sports are back to entertain the country.