Report: NFL may ban postgame jersey swaps, interactions within 6 feet
The NFL may limit postgame interactions for the 2020 season to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among its proposed rules, the league intends to forbid jersey exchanges between players and have all communications following a game take place at least six feet apart, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
While the NFL and National Football League Players Association's joint medical committee continues to develop protocols for the upcoming campaign, the proposed game-day guidelines have not yet been officially agreed to, Pelissero adds.
Other notable changes could include banning on-field fan seating and prohibiting media members from being in team locker rooms. Clubs must also travel to stadiums on a bus.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman poked fun at the potential new rules, questioning why the NFL would allow its players to play football yet not permit postgame interactions.
This is a perfect example of NFL thinking in a nutshell. Players can go engage in a full contact game and do it safely. However, it is deemed unsafe for them to exchange jerseys after said game. 😂🤣😂 https://t.co/fWefsUSVDc
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 9, 2020
The league is aiming to kick off the 2020 campaign as scheduled, but a number of players have openly expressed safety concerns. Some are even pushing back against proposed protocols such as face shields, saying that measure will affect their vision and breathing while playing.