Fans remain hopeful that college and professional football will be able to remain relatively normal in the fall. It’s been thought at times that the country is on a downswing from the coronavirus, but some positive testing is still an issue.
The University of Texas has announced that 13 of its players have tested positive for the virus. All 13 are now in isolation, along with 10 others that were in close contact.
In addition to that, four other players have tested positive for the antibodies of the virus. It is still unknown how that affects those who have not yet contracted the virus.
Every time the NCAA hears something like this, the possibility of a normal fall schedule with fans becomes more of a stretch. Dr. Anthony Fauci has said recently that there is no way to have a football season without a bubble-like structure that the NBA is working on.
“Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community, and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci said. “If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.”
The second wave is still a big concern. If this happens in the fall, it could once again take out sports just as they were beginning to come back.
The Unknown
If a large portion of teams and players are having to isolate and not play, it won’t even be worth having a season. The virus has already caused these teams to have less time to practice before the season, and now these players will be out even longer.
Kansas State also came out and said that it had eight players test positive. The only positive news is that there were 130 tested. But even so, the numbers need to continue to improve rapidly to have a football season.
On Wednesday, the NCAA did give schools an extended preseason to try to make up for some of the time missed.
Same Problem With Pros
The NFL also faces the same issues. Dr. Fauci says that football is the perfect atmosphere to spread the virus with constant close contact.
NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills discussed Fauci’s comments and how the league would combat the rising issues.
“We are developing a comprehensive and rapid-result testing program and rigorous protocols that call for a shared responsibility from everyone inside our football ecosystem,” Sills said. “This is based on the collective guidance of public health officials, including the White House task force, the CDC, infectious disease experts, and other sports leagues.”
This will continue to be a tough task for the NFL and NCAA. As they continue to test, positive tests will remain an issue. Tests are going to be administered at a high rate, and it’s doubtful positive tests come to a halt anytime soon.
