Aaron Rodgers hopeful for NFL Return in 2020
Over the past couple months there have been no signs that the NFL intends to cancel the 2020 season. Although it was virtual, the NFL Draft occurred at its usual time and the NFL schedule has been released well in advance of the season. Today, multiple teams opened their training facilities. Among them were the Falcons, Texans, Cardinals, Chiefs and Colts. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave a clearance for other teams to open as long as state and local municipalities allow it.
Among players who have voiced their opinions on the NFL returning in the fall, Aaron Rodgers recently stated on WISN-TV that he is “very hopeful that we can have a season,” adding that “sports has always been something that’s brought people together,” and that he wants sports to help alleviate the hardships that the pandemic has brought upon the lives of many Americans.
On May 17 on WISN-TV in Milwaukee (link for the audio is here), reporter Stephen Watson asked Rodgers:
“Given the state of our country and world at this point, do you believe it is safe to play football this season?”
Rodgers responded:
"Yeah that’s a good question. Like many of us, and I’ve seen a lot of comments on this, and obviously my story coming back from Peru before the country kind of went into a lockdown, I think we all were buying into the idea of quarantine to flatten the curve.
“I think there are a lot of questions now that it’s more of a house arrest to find a cure with people wondering what exactly that means as far as the future of the country and the freedoms we are allowed to have at this point.
“I think sports has always been something that’s brought people together. I’m very hopeful that we can have a season. I think the important thing to think about, though which is more important than that is the state of the country and the fact that we have 36-plus million people on unemployment right now. You have rising poverty levels to go along with the unemployment. You have suicide hotline is up 8,000 percent. There’s a lot of problems going on in the country right now associated with the fear around this pandemic. I hope that we can use some common sense moving forward and make decisions that are going to be in the best interests of all people moving forward, and I hope that sports is a part of that at some point."
Like a true Cal Bear, Aaron Rodgers gave an educated, thoughtful response on his expectations for the season. He brought up essential information to consider such as an unbelievable rise in suicide hotlines, which is backed up by Fox and ABC, and the obvious surge in unemployment.
He adds that we can use “common sense” to make decisions that will be in the best interests of the people, and suggests that sports can be a part of helping that process. This is important because the absence of sports in the fall, especially football, will take a toll on many Americans who enjoy it as one of their favorite pastimes. It is important that state and local governments recognize this societal need quickly, and allow teams in California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts and Virginia to continue.
Goodell has stated that precautionary measures must be heeded, such as wearing masks at facilities and playing in the absence of fans if necessary. Nonetheless, football is better than no football, and if state and local governments want Americans to stay in their homes in the fall, they should recognize that sooner than later.
