A lot has happened since March 11, 2020, when the world literally changed forever. It was then when the COVID pandemic really start to grip everything and everyone, and the sports world was not spared from its outreach. The NBA and NHL postponed their respective seasons, and the NCAA cancelled March Madness altogether. MLB didn’t have a clue on how to deal with the pandemic, and their season was shortened to 60 games, more than half of the 162-game campaign we’re accustomed to. Even the English Premier League and other soccer organizations in numerous countries were forced to stop their seasons due to the virus. In other words, the world as we knew it stopped before our eyes.
The one league that was able to escaped the wrath of COVID (at least initially) was the NFL, that was only because they were in their offseason. Eventually, even they would have to adapt to change. The draft would be held virtually, and so would training camps. The preseason was cancelled, and the first game action came with the season-opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs Sept. 10 of that year. The season was largely playing out in empty stadiums, and there would be at least one game held each day of the week due to postponements caused by the pandemic.
As the world attempted to return to normal, the NFL was determined to do the same. They wanted to be strict as far as COVID protocols went, pinning the responsibility on the franchises to make sure coaches and players adhere to the rules as the 2021 regular season loomed. No longer would games be postponed due to spikes or outbreaks, they would be forfeited and handed to the team that was supposed to play the infected one. The league wanted to stay on schedule, perhaps thinking (and it’s not out of the norm for the NFL to act this way) they can do so because they are “The Shield.” It would be logical to think this stance was premature when considering a pandemic is still going on, but when has the NFL listened to anybody going against their vision?
With everything I just said, here we are, almost two years after having our lives turn upside down, and there’s a harsh truth staring at us and the league. COVID (and all of its variants) is still very much a factor, and because of that, the NFL is doing what they vowed not to do a few months ago, postponing three games on Friday. The Las Vegas Raiders–Cleveland Browns matchup has been moved from Saturday to Monday, and two more games (The Washington Football Team–Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks–Los Angeles Rams) were pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday. While the move shows a sign of basically being in the same place we were with the pandemic at this point last year, it also shows what the league, and many others, are ultimately about when push comes to shove. Anyone with a little intellect can see money is always the priority when it comes to the decision making in the NFL.
Bottom line, a forfeited result means a loss of revenue for everyone involved, and the NFL knows this better than anyone. What this means is they’ll do anything to protect their profit, even if it means going back on their original word. The funny thing is many people would understand if money is the first motivating factor, as long as the organization is honest about it. Instead, the NFL continues to hide behind other reasons while conducting their business, and attempts to tell us so as if we can’t see through them. Postponing the three games shows exactly why someone can not (and should not) take what the league says seriously, because eventually, the truth comes to life, and it’ll likely involve lots of dollar signs. Then again, nobody can expect the NFL to be honest with them if they can be honest with themselves first.
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