By:Josh Thornton

​Since the global pandemic started, those of us in the sports world wondered how our respective sports would deal with it and enable a season to happen. We saw the NBA and NHL create strict “bubbles” giving them the ability to significantly mitigate the chances of COVID decimating their rosters, and the sport as a whole. MLB was another story, while they are still playing games the virus has had more of an impact with a number of teams cancelling stretches of games due to positive COVID tests. Seeing this happen to MLB had those of us who follow the NFL…well, kind of nervous. I mean… the NFL, like the MLB, has no “bubble”. They are most certainly doomed to experience a stoppage… right? Not so fast with the doom and gloom people.

​I do not think the NFL will experience situations similar to the MLB. The main reason why I believe this is because of the NFL’s natural bubble. What the hell am I talking about? Stay with me.

​The MLB plays more games than the NFL. We know that. Even though the games played in baseball far outnumber the games played in football, I still believe baseball players actually have more “down time”. Think about it. Baseball “practices” are usually done a few hours before a game. Weather that’s batting practice, working on defensive skills or whatever. So, days without a game are true “off” days. During a football season players practice 5 days a week and have 1 game a week. Now, some of those practices are just walk-thru style, but the time spent at the facility far exceeds the time spent actually practicing. Some players spend up to 12 hours a day at the training facilities even working on their off day by watching film or doing drills by themselves or with teammates.

​Let’s talk road trips. MLB road trips can be anywhere from 6 to 10 games and cover 2 or 3 cities. Players have time after games to go out to the club, casino, restaurants and whatever else their hearts desire… in many cities nonetheless. Hell, they even bring their families along to spend time with them in new cities. NFL road trips are not the same. Usually 2 full days in the city, and 1 of those days is game day. They surely are not bringing their families to do sightseeing or visit tourist attractions. Do they go out a night before a game? Sure, some do. Though the opportunity to do so is very limited.

​I understand that COVID has changed the way teams and individuals are approaching every aspect of their respective sports. My point is only to help alleviate some concern of the NFL being unable to control COVID outbreaks. Unlike the MLB, I feel that the regular structure of day to day business in the NFL is more conducive to outbreak mitigation. Creating essentially a “natural bubble”.

​Am I reaching? Maybe. Call it inflated optimism if you want. As I have said before, I believe regular football injuries will impact the NFL more than COVID outbreaks… fingers crossed.

Oh, and… Go Browns!