NFL Players Criticize League’s New Policy Against Postgame Jersey-Swapping

Richard Sherman, Darius Slay, Stefon Diggs, and others criticized news of the NFL's new policy prohibiting the swapping of jerseys postgame.

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As professional sports gear up to commence play amid COVID-19, it appears as though the NFL will be implementing new rules to try and establish stricter health and safety guidelines. According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the league will be prohibiting postgame interactions between players within six feet of each other, as well as the customary exchanging of jerseys, during the 2020 season. 

NFL teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and jersey exchanges between players will be prohibited during the 2020 season, sources say.

Another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 9, 2020

While this appears to be one of several ways the NFL will try to combat the spread of COVID-19 this season, several players in the league are upset at the policy, questioning how it makes sense when football is already such a contact sport.

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

Richard Sherman was one of the NFL players who criticized the new policy, calling into question why players can engage in a full-contact sport but then be at a health risk by exchanging jerseys afterward. Other players, like Darius Slay and Stefon Diggs, shared the same sentiments as Sherman.

So we can tackle each other for 60min but can’t exchange jersey that takes 2 mins😂😂😂 https://t.co/5RKq54T0mH

— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) July 9, 2020

Man to Man coverage for four quarters lol there’s no way the rona ain’t floating around lol

— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 9, 2020

While it does appear this new policy is a bit backwards for the NFL to implement since players will most likely be at risk of contracting the virus by playing in the first place, it is still unclear whether they'll walk back the new rule at all.

Check out what others had to say about the NFL's supposed new no jersey-swapping policy down below.

After blocking and tackling each other for 60 minutes right wouldn’t want them getting too close after the game

— NFL24.7NEWS (@nfl24_7news) July 9, 2020

Not trying to be funny or anything but this gotta be a joke

— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 9, 2020

Yea okay 😆🙄🙄

— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) July 9, 2020

Take that COVID-19

— Mac Engel (@MacEngelProf) July 9, 2020

Have to agree with @RSherman_25.
Quick post-game interaction (especially with a mask) is no more (maybe less) dangerous than in game encounters. However, the risk of exposure in the 6 days leading up to the game much greater than on Sundays due to the #ViralLoad concept.

— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) July 9, 2020

All of us looking at the NFL. Smh pic.twitter.com/SStiLB6QPV

— Muhammad_Molly (@ethizzelle) July 9, 2020

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