The NFL is hanging on to all hope that the 2020 NFL season will be able to kick off on time, even though the season is smack dab in the middle of a pandemic. The league has begun the 2020 training camp on schedule. However, there are many new protocols that have been put into place to ensure players and staff’s safety.
The NFL remains hopeful it can at least start the 2020 NFL season on time in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the league is proceeding with 2020 training camp as scheduled.
Tyler Biadasz, a fourth round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft from the University of Wisconsin, highlighted some of the safety measures in place at The Star in Frisco.
"It's been a concrete message that it's safety first,” Biadasz said. “When you get off the field, put your mask back on and social distance. Even in our meetings, we're very particular about what distance we're at.”
A few of the Cowboys, like fullback Jamize Olawale opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Biadasz noted that there are more dangers on the field than just a broken limb or tooth. He stated we are "facing more than football, we’re facing COVID-19.” He noted that the players are taking it seriously.
"We're trying to do our part for the social distancing, and we're not taking this lightly," he said.
He also walked people through the COVID-19 testing and how they plan to social distance; considering football is all about getting in your opponent’s personal space.
He also spoke about a special device the players will implement that alerts the players if they are in a danger zone of less than six feet to another person.
"You check in and get your device, and after you get your device you go through the COVID-19 testing that we do daily, and once we get that done we get ready for our lift.,” Biadasz said. “After that, it's really social distance throughout the day and attending our meetings and walkthroughs.”
"It has a flashing red light if we're too close to one another, so we can monitor our space between each other in the building,” he continued.
Biadasz said he feels the affects of social distancing during practice. He said it is a different experience to train without other team members around.
He said he is doing the best he can to stay in shape for his rookie season.
"It was my first offseason training alone, but I maximized my opportunities and got in the best shape I could be until we got here to Dallas,” Biadasz stated.
The Star is where the Cowboys Training Center released a few changes in protocols to assist in safety.
According Dallas Cowboy News, a task force researched the best ways to combat the virus, and there have been mulitple alterations to the training center.
“The club formed a COVID-19 task force roughly three months ago. The group of 10 to 12 employees from various departments has met at least twice a week, utilizing data analysis and metrics from the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) and consulting with epidemiologists from the Baylor Scott & White Health system.”
“Thermal scanners, contact tracing bracelets, sanitizing boxes that utilize UV light, plexiglass barriers between lockers and a different way to do laundry are just some of the measures the Cowboys have adopted. The club’s response will continue to evolve.”
The club is also giving the players an opt-out option.
“NFL players have until August 3 to use the option for the upcoming season and have their contracts pushed back a year. The NFLPA and league officials have agreed that if a player opts out in 2020, there will be no pay in regards to their salaries but instead a loan to help these players financially in 2020. Players that are ruled to be in the “high-risk” category will earn $350,000 for the upcoming season, and those not in that category will earn $150,000. While everyone is concerned about the safety of each individual, there are onfield impacts to players opting out,” the update noted.
Of course, this is a fluid situation, and things can change at any moment.