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When the NFL postponed the Ravens-Steelers game from Thursday night to Sunday, some complained that the Ravens had received more favorable treatment than other teams who were required to continue their games despite COVID-19 concerns . Most notably, the 49ers had to play despite several missing players on a Thursday night earlier this month, against the Packers.
While these complaints may make sense at first glance, the situations are very different.
As the league explained to the PFT, in the Packers-49ers game, the league was “able to identify and isolate the few cases and was convinced that there was no longer a concern of a greater distribution between the two teams. In Baltimore, the situation was not contained.
“It’s an ongoing issue with new positives among players and staff,” the league said. “There have been a total of seven positive and additional player cases in the past three days. Delaying several days gives us more testing time and offers more comfort and certainty than playing tomorrow, when additional issues could affect the Ravens and Steelers and the rest of their seasons. . . .
“As we have always said, the health and safety of players, staff and the public will continue to take precedence over competition or broadcast concerns. This decision underlines this unwavering commitment. “
Some had been cynical about the legitimacy of the league’s stated concern for the health and safety of players. The decision to drop one of the most watched games of the season is frank proof that the league has put the importance of getting on top of the situation in order to protect players, coaches and staff above all other business and football considerations.
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