I remember watching football games in the early days of the NFL, when the players weren’t wearing any masks – it was a totally different experience. You could smell the sweat and nerves in the air and feel the energy of the players as they ran onto the field.Fast forward to today, when players are required to wear masks during games, and it’s a totally different atmosphere. It’s still exciting and energetic, but the masks definitely give it a more disconcerting, surreal feeling.
I’m not sure if I agree with NFL players wearing masks – it’s a difficult call. On the one hand, as a pre-emptive measure, mask wearing makes sense. If you know the virus can be spread through airborne particles, ensuring that it can’t pass between players on the field seems sensible. But on the other hand, you can see why some players would prefer to take their chances without a mask. After all, there are loads of sports which don’t require players to wear masks, and stopping the spread of the virus in the lockerroom or in the crowd should be the real priority.
I think one of the big issues with mask-wearing for NFL players is how it affects the performance of the athletes involved. It’s impossible to gauge the impact exactly, but it stands to reason that some players will find it harder to breathe during a game, or be less accurate throwing the ball. That could be why the league is only making it compulsory for the players on the sidelines – even though the virus can spread between the players in the same way. Throw on top of this the heat and humidity of the game, and it’s understandable why some players are hesitant to wear a mask.
NFL fans also have their own thoughts on players wearing masks. While some believe that it’s necessary, others argue that requiring masks in a game such as football, which is so focused on an athlete’s physical performance, will remove what makes it exciting in the first place. Plus, some fans might feel safe in their own bubble at home, but there’s always the worry that making mask-wearing compulsory in football will put the people who attend games in real danger.
I’m not sure where I stand on whether NFL players should or shouldn’t wear masks during the game. On the one hand, I think it’s important for NFL players to act as role models for the rest of society, and if it’s necessary to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus, then that should happen. On the other hand, though, it might be better to concentrate on ensuring the safety of the people in the stadium and lockerroom, rather than the players themselves.
It’s an interesting debate and one that is sure to rage on for a while longer. And with a vaccine on the horizon, maybe we won’t have to worry about it for too much longer. For now, there’s no clear answer on the best way forward – but it will be interesting to see what the NFL decides. What do you think? Should the NFL players be wearing masks, or does it not make a difference?