#NFL players push back against proposed postgame coronavirus rules: ‘Silly’

“#NFL players push back against proposed postgame coronavirus rules: ‘Silly’”

July 9, 2020 | 4:35pm

Proposed NFL rules amid the coronavirus pandemic has left players shaking their heads instead of possibly shaking hands.

The NFL Network reported several rule changes Thursday that could be on the way to the league for the 2020 season, including one in which teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and NFL players swapping jerseys will be prohibited in hopes of keeping players safer during the coronavirus pandemic.

That didn’t sit well with some players.

“This is a perfect example of NFL thinking in a nutshell,” star 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted Thursday morning, “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.”

There is still time to ditch the ban. The game-day protocols sent to teams Wednesday night, including the jersey rule, have not been agreed on by the league and NFLPA, according to NFL Network. The rules are still considered a work in progress.

“So we can hit each other ALL game but can’t shake hands after?” former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee wrote on Twitter.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson added “that’s DAMN SILLY bro…” along with an emoji slapping a hand to the face on Twitter. 49ers tight end George Kittle responded with a gif of a puzzled John C. Reilly.