Feeling a Draft During a Pandemic
A more sensitive league leader may have pushed the upcoming NFL Draft back a month or two.
That said, I'll be the first to selfishly admit, I'm glad the commish is of singular mind when it comes to promoting the game that keeps a roof or two over his head.
As the horror show COVID-19 global pandemic is likely moving toward it's peak level of damage to humanity here in the United States, sports fans will have tiny beacon of escapism to look forward to amongst the carnage.
Despite a number of NFL general managers asking for the event to be pushed back, Commissioner Roger Goodell says the show must go on.
On one hand, the NFL seems to lack empathy, or a sense of fair play as teams are on various stages of lockdown, depending on which state they are in.
Those are absolutely legitimate concerns.
However, for a nation that's had to stay in quarantine away from other people for nearly two months in some places -- an NFL Draft presents some evidence that the world will eventually move on from this adversity -- like it does with every other set of tragic circumstances.
I recall the controversial re-start of Major League Baseball after the towers fell on 9/11.
The debate back then raged over very similar ground.
When is it okay to live a little in a time of trouble?
Ultimately, both sides of the debate have merit.
However, I think we have the ability to multi-task. People can support the front lines of a pandemic, mourn the souls lost and find a way to look forward to life for those who will see the other side of this emergency.
In that sense, the commissioner's resolute focus to keep the NFL calendar as close to on track as possible is admirable and a little bit mad genius.
Other than a chance to see baseball in South Korea or Japan, the only game in town in the U.S. of A April 23-25 will be the NFL Draft. It will be done sans giant crowds and without the high fives and chest bumps, but football is moving forward and bringing in their next batch of professional players.
We're talking about an event that wasn't even an event until ESPN insisted on showing up to it in the 80's every year. We're talking about a thing where college players are selected at an owner's meeting.
No plays. No touchdowns. Just people on phones calling other people and deciding who to pick next.
And yet, this event could be one of the most watched television shows of the year. Because desperate sports fans need a break from the reality that has been all around us 24/7 since early February when the virus showed up in force in the state of Washington.
The steps to protect the most vulnerable have forced away from each other and stuck with or without jobs at home. A little hope for some future football will be a welcome change of focus for a few hours a day across several days.
This isn't like the brave musical band who played on as the Titanic sank into frozen waters. We're talking sports here. More importantly, this horrible pandemic will not end us. It will take too many people too soon, but most will make it to the other side.
I for one, will not 'boo' the commish when he pulls out the note cards at the podium this year.
I may even break out the popcorn, a cold beverage and live it up a little.
Here in Denver, I'm leaning towards an elite wide receiver in the first round for the Broncos' Drew Lock to throw to, whenever the games get started again.
I imagine in this the modern world, that this pandemic will not be our last one. I think finding some positive moments along the way -- even during a crisis, is an essential part of existence.
I hope your team selects wisely.
I hope we all get to cheer again, and soon.
With the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals (or will the Miami Dolphins trade up, or the L.A. Chargers?) select...
That said, I'll be the first to selfishly admit, I'm glad the commish is of singular mind when it comes to promoting the game that keeps a roof or two over his head.
As the horror show COVID-19 global pandemic is likely moving toward it's peak level of damage to humanity here in the United States, sports fans will have tiny beacon of escapism to look forward to amongst the carnage.
Despite a number of NFL general managers asking for the event to be pushed back, Commissioner Roger Goodell says the show must go on.
On one hand, the NFL seems to lack empathy, or a sense of fair play as teams are on various stages of lockdown, depending on which state they are in.
Those are absolutely legitimate concerns.
However, for a nation that's had to stay in quarantine away from other people for nearly two months in some places -- an NFL Draft presents some evidence that the world will eventually move on from this adversity -- like it does with every other set of tragic circumstances.
I recall the controversial re-start of Major League Baseball after the towers fell on 9/11.
The debate back then raged over very similar ground.
When is it okay to live a little in a time of trouble?
Ultimately, both sides of the debate have merit.
However, I think we have the ability to multi-task. People can support the front lines of a pandemic, mourn the souls lost and find a way to look forward to life for those who will see the other side of this emergency.
In that sense, the commissioner's resolute focus to keep the NFL calendar as close to on track as possible is admirable and a little bit mad genius.
Other than a chance to see baseball in South Korea or Japan, the only game in town in the U.S. of A April 23-25 will be the NFL Draft. It will be done sans giant crowds and without the high fives and chest bumps, but football is moving forward and bringing in their next batch of professional players.
We're talking about an event that wasn't even an event until ESPN insisted on showing up to it in the 80's every year. We're talking about a thing where college players are selected at an owner's meeting.
No plays. No touchdowns. Just people on phones calling other people and deciding who to pick next.
And yet, this event could be one of the most watched television shows of the year. Because desperate sports fans need a break from the reality that has been all around us 24/7 since early February when the virus showed up in force in the state of Washington.
The steps to protect the most vulnerable have forced away from each other and stuck with or without jobs at home. A little hope for some future football will be a welcome change of focus for a few hours a day across several days.
This isn't like the brave musical band who played on as the Titanic sank into frozen waters. We're talking sports here. More importantly, this horrible pandemic will not end us. It will take too many people too soon, but most will make it to the other side.
I for one, will not 'boo' the commish when he pulls out the note cards at the podium this year.
I may even break out the popcorn, a cold beverage and live it up a little.
Here in Denver, I'm leaning towards an elite wide receiver in the first round for the Broncos' Drew Lock to throw to, whenever the games get started again.
I imagine in this the modern world, that this pandemic will not be our last one. I think finding some positive moments along the way -- even during a crisis, is an essential part of existence.
I hope your team selects wisely.
I hope we all get to cheer again, and soon.
With the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals (or will the Miami Dolphins trade up, or the L.A. Chargers?) select...
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