A Safety Measure or Window Dressing?

High school football returns in Arizona with games next week.  Several other states have been playing games for weeks. I’m thrilled it’s back!  Friday Night Lights are an important part of so many communities, not only in our state, but across the country.

I applaud all of the organizations and individuals who have worked so hard to make it happen.

There are a number of protocols in place to help ensure the safety of all.  But, are all the protocols really for safety – or do they just look good?

The biggest irony I see is this:

When the captains of each team – only one captain will be allowed on the field – come out for the pre-game coin toss, they will not be permitted to shake hands with the other team’s captain.   They will maintain at least a six-foot distance from each other.

Then, for the next two hours, players from both teams will line up face-to-face, with only the length of the football between them.  They will be breathing hard and heavy – directly into each other’s faces.  They will block, tackle and play football like it’s meant to be played. There will be piles of six, seven, eight players with their hot, sweaty bodies piled on top of each other – touching way more than a handshake would provide.

Then, after the game, there will be no hand-shake line between the two teams.  No fist bumps.  No “good game” comments.

I’m okay with it, but once the clock gets to zero, it apparently becomes unsafe again for the players to have any sort of physical contact.

I’m so ready for clock on this pandemic to get to zero.