We could all take a lesson from the NFL amid the current pandemic

The NFL is pushing forward through it’s offseason with as few modifications as possible. With free agency still continuing on, and the NFL draft scheduled to begin in less than three weeks, the overall business of the league has pressed onward. Yes, player pro days and interviews have been canceled or modified, but being cautious and safe is continuing to take precedence over everything else. Luckily, The NFL has been in a position to do so.

Unfortunately, the other major professional sports have not been so lucky. With the NHL and NBA in the midst of a work stoppage as they would normally be preparing for the playoffs at this point of the calendar, they are not in the same boat. MLB has already missed it’s opening day and doesn’t know when it will get to kick off it’s 2020 season. Based on the timing of everything, they just aren’t in the same situation as the NFL.

I think these various professional sports leagues are somewhat representative of us a society at this time. Many of us have been greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic while others have been able to keep some sense of normalcy. Whether you were someone who has lost their job due to the shutdown of so many businesses, or if you are an essential personnel who has been working extra hours in order to help provide services to the rest of the country, your life is vastly different than what it was even one month earlier. But others have been fortunate enough to continue on with as little interruption as possible.

Isn’t this what we are all eventually shooting for: As much of a sense of normalcy in our lives as possible?

Regardless of your situation, I hope that you can maintain as much of your normal life as possible. As a father to young children, that has been my goal throughout these trying times. If I can keep their lives as similar now as they were several months ago, it makes it much easier to get through the situation. Although we know several of our planned activities such as play productions, recitals, birthday parties, or even our our summer vacation may not happen, we are preparing for these things to be postponed with the hope that we may get to participate in them by the time they arrive. In essence, that is exactly what the NFL is doing.

Don’t get me wrong, we should not sacrifice safety for normalcy! The NFL is making the right decision in closing facilities and not having player visits prior to the NFL draft. Doing the draft remotely was a necessary change for our current situation, but being able to still hold the draft, if possible, is the wise decision. But as we attempt to continue on with those things which we can, we do need to heed the words of Steelers’ defensive captain Cameron Heyward which he so wonderfully penned for the Players Tribune:

Ultimately, we all need to stay safe, take care of each other, and continue on with normal life as much as possible in our given situation. This is the lesson we can take from the NFL: Make safe decisions, conduct our business as usual as much as we can, and hope that soon we can return to normal. Don’t criticize the league for making a schedule which starts the same time it usually does in September. Isn’t this what we all what: A return to normal life sooner than later?

We here at Behind The Steel Curtain will continue to bring you as much content as we can. Even if you are dealing with tough situations due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, hopefully you can take some time to escape at some point in your day. If it can bring some sort of normalcy in your life, we here BTSC hope we can help provide that in anyway and are grateful to do so.

Stay strong. We will get through this together.