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

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Updated:
Jul 20, 2020 5:03 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 20, 2020

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."

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.

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.