# NFL Games during COVID **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [September 13, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473 "2020-09-13T02:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/1 "2020-09-13T02:35:53Z")
Has this been addressed already here? I saw photos from Thursday night NFL game, pre-game BLM gesture in which numerous players were lined up shoulder to shoulder without masks or helmets. (I didn’t see the game.) What gives? I thought the players would all be in astronaut helmets or something. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/2 "2020-09-13T02:45:30Z")
Are you suggesting that standing with arms locked is somehow more dangerous than 22 guys piled on top of each other breathing, sweating, spitting, etc. As for the covid-proof helmets, not sure they exist. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/3 "2020-09-13T03:54:41Z")
I am assuming they are handling it with testing and bubbles. Which has worked for the NBA. Players that don’t have COVID-19 can’t transmit it to others. That is better than mountains of gear. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/4 "2020-09-13T04:02:22Z")
Of course not. Obviously, I’m asking what protective measures are being taken, if any. > [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Are you suggesting that standing with arms locked is somehow more dangerous than 22 guys piled on top of each other breathing, sweating, spitting, etc ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/5 "2020-09-16T02:21:35Z")
Lots of testing, like almost daily, of most anyone affiliated with a team including some beat reporters. > **[NFL COVID rules, explained: Everything to know about coronavirus and football...](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-covid-rules-coronavirus-football-2020/rovse8r08zbu1quh7y3joydah)** > > The NFL is trying to play a complete season during the COVID-19 pandemic using extensive health and safety protocols. Here is everything to know about how and why this football season will look different. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/6 "2020-09-16T21:20:39Z")
Yeah, I watched a few games and it became clear. But thanks to the two of you who replied intelligently. I’m surprised by how much I prefer TV games without all the crowd noise. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/7 "2020-09-17T01:47:34Z")
No, there’s no bubbles for the NFL, just testing. The OP’s reference to BLM was so irrelevant, that I felt there was a deeper message there. If not, apologies. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/8 "2020-09-17T01:56:38Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > The OP’s reference to BLM was so irrelevant, that I felt there was a deeper message there. If not, apologies. No subtext, I only meant to clarify which particular moment I was referring to. But no apology necessary. Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/9 "2020-09-17T12:47:26Z")
Gotcha. All good! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/10 "2020-09-17T14:28:37Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > …I’m surprised by how much I prefer TV games without all the crowd noise. I NEVER intentionally watch NFL outside of the Superbowl, but I happened to be visiting someone while the Bears/Lions game was on. To my ears, it sounded as tho some sort of fan noise was coming out of the TV. Also, as little as I care for football, I became interested in the “virtual” fans in the stadium. For most live “action” shots - such as a long, high pass - you could see that the stadium seats were empty. But then in some other shots - I don’t recall which, exactly - maybe field goals or kickoffs - it appeared as tho the stands were full! There was even a shot returning from an ad break, where they showed the entire stadium bowl, apparently full of fans. In one shot, it even appeared to be filmed from behind some fans’ cheering silhouettes. If I care more, or were more bored w/ work (is that POSSIBLE?), I supposed I could google what the NFL - and other sports - are doing along those lines. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/11 "2020-09-17T15:01:36Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Yeah, I watched a few games and it became clear. But thanks to the two of you who replied intelligently. > I’m surprised by how much I prefer TV games without all the crowd noise. I don’t which games you were watching, but everything I watched had pre-recorded fan noise in the audio feed, adjusted to reflect the intensity of play. There was cheering only, no boos that I could hear. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/12 "2020-09-17T16:46:06Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I don’t which games you were watching, but everything I watched had pre-recorded fan noise in the audio feed, adjusted to reflect the intensity of play. There was cheering only, no boos that I could hear. Yep. I should have said “without _actual_ crowd noise.” To me the canned noise is much less objectionable, but silly and obviously fake. I understand why the powers that be decided to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/13 "2020-09-23T19:40:37Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I don’t which games you were watching, but everything I watched had pre-recorded fan noise in the audio feed, adjusted to reflect the intensity of play. There was cheering only, no boos that I could hear. They seem to be playing with it to see what works. The first week, I definitely heard some booing, and thought it would be hilarious if the commentators had made a snarky remark about, “Oh, and the fake fans didn’t like that call!” It’s all kind of surreal. I think they should just lean into the weirdness, and have no fan noise at all. Let’s hear what it really sounds like! ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/14 "2020-09-30T01:41:58Z")
Apologies if this is being discussed elsewhere. NFL players testing positive. > **[Titans, Vikings suspend in-person activities after multiple Titans players,...](https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-vikings-suspend-in-person-activities-players-personnel-positive-covid)** > > Tennessee confirmed in a statement that "several tests have come back positive" and that "out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely." ---
**Author:** ![urbanredneck2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/5f8ce5/32.png) [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/15 "2020-09-30T21:48:35Z")
There was a good article where a man went to a game and said you dont realize it but in reality theirs only action on the field for about 11 minutes. The rest of time your doing things with the other fans or watching the cheerleader’s and mascots which their are none. Without that the game is VERY boring in person. They still piped in some sound which he said was like a low murmur. I cant imagine how boring half time is. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/16 "2020-10-01T00:25:24Z")
Yep. Football exemplifies the worst of American culture: brief sporadic violence punctuated with endless committee meetings. (Can’t remember where I read this.) ---
**Author:** ![Jlatorre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jlatorre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jlatorre)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-games-during-covid/920473/17 "2020-11-24T01:27:30Z")
> everything I watched had pre-recorded fan noise in the audio feed, adjusted to reflect the intensity of play. What I was wondering was: who was doing the adjusting? Is there some sort of metric for what’s being ladled out for short-field pass touchdowns, long-field pass touch downs, interceptions, field goals? And is it different for home teams that have the ball on offense, rather than away teams that have the ball, like there is in a real stadium game? And how do they determine actual volume levels … from similar situations in pre-COVID games in each stadium (because we know that some crowds are louder than others, and some stadiums are designed to reflect as much sound onto the field as possible)? Maybe there’s somebody amongst the Teeming Millions that knows what’s really going on, and might be willing to share it with us.