Arians May Ban “Mingling”
October 23rd, 2020
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
Yes, the possibility of the Bucs-Raiders game being moved to Monday or Tuesday (or beyond) is still on the table. And it’s still on the mind of the Bucs.
And while the Bucs have been fortunate not to lose any players during the regular season due to The Sickness, it has clearly hit the Raiders.
In an article published this week by no less an authority than the Wall Street Journal documents there is no evidence to date of a football player in college or pro transmitting or catching the virus from contact with opponents during play on the field. But close contacts with players away from the field is a different story.
In speaking today to the Fourth Estate, Bucco Bruce Arians admitted he’s considering a ban on his Bucs bro-hugging immediately after the game, given how the Raiders have been hit by The Sickness.
“I haven’t decided yet — it has nothing to do with sportsmanship — whether we will shake hands or embrace or anything after the game, just to be cautious,” Arians said. “Playing the game is one thing but the mingling and all that stuff after the ballgame — I have not talked to our guys but I don’t think we will do that, just to be safe.”
Of course, if Arians goes through with this, not everyone will know about it.
How many stories will be written and how much will Twitter and Facebook blow up that the Bucs are a-holes and jerks if they just walk back to the locker room after the game? Especially if the game ends in controversy?
You know it would come no matter how smart and reasoned Arians’ decision is. Joe’s a bit surprised other NFL teams haven’t done this or that the league hasn’t ordered teams to do this.
October 23rd, 2020 at 12:54 pm
It’s been two weeks and STILL there are new stories about Brady exiting the field, not acknowledging Foles (my guess is a combination of fury and embarrassment)
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Beej….I for one appreciate Brady being a sore loser. His actions after that game mirror my own emotions.
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:05 pm
That’s got to suck for Raider players that have watched Brady all their life. To get a chance to play against the GOAT and then not be able to shake his hand.
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:10 pm
I don’t think they should be doing it at all, regardless whether or not your opponent just had a case of The Chinese coronavirus.
It’s just common sense. There could be a bunch of other players that are carriers at the moment.
Play the game and get the hell out of there.
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:12 pm
As for Brady leaving and not shaking a hand, he has done that for 20 years. Sometimes he sticks around sometimes, when he loses or thinks he played bad or is pissed off – he leaves.
Lots of players have done that.
The microscope is just on him because he is Tom Brady.
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Better safe than sorry.
Hmmm, I wonder if that type of mentality would work elsewhere outside of football….NAH!
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:43 pm
protect to team bruce….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:52 pm
Our HS team doesn’t shake hands anymore after games.
They just line up on opposite sides of the field and pass by each other in lines about 8 feet apart and say “Good game.”
Still shows sportsmanship without extra contact.
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:55 pm
yeah don’t bro-hug some player (playa) dude who just came to town and snuck a call girl into his room in the wee hours before the game to clean his clogged pipes out…
said call girl did whole the town this week…
and covid is all up in her bloodstream along with the coke and chlamydia…
don’t bro-hug…
don’t breathe anyone’s breath cloud if you don’t have to…
act like tom brady when he plays nick foles…
#NoCovidHugs #DontHugUp
October 23rd, 2020 at 1:57 pm
They should probably move back the game, theses guys could have it at and it not show up yet.
October 23rd, 2020 at 2:03 pm
What sense does it make for coaches to wear masks during a game only to have players hugging afterwards…..
However, it also stands to reason that if you can sweat, breathe spit and snot all over opposing players….why not a nice little hug after the game?
October 23rd, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Free medical advice.
DON’T DO IT!
October 23rd, 2020 at 2:04 pm
@ bucsfanman
Nah it wouldn’t work because we have those who still call it the flu, hoax or chinese coronavirus. Until all start taking it seriously or stop placing blame we could deal with it accordingly.
October 23rd, 2020 at 2:12 pm
I am for no contact after the game and is no more controversial than the Packers not coming onto the field until after the national anthem was over, which was not shown on TV.
October 23rd, 2020 at 2:12 pm
I am for no contact after the game and is no more controversial than the Packers not coming onto the field until after the national anthem was over, which was not shown on TV.
October 23rd, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Play the game if no further positive tests prior to Sunday game.
The NFL seems to be doing a great job with their testing and contact tracing.
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:25 pm
I’m all for treating the game as a business. Do your job and then go home.
I’m all for these players realizing they are becoming millionaires by performing their job in the business of football. Money should change their collegian attitudes of palying a fun game to having a job in the NFL. Mindsets need to change during this 2020 pandemic year for many(stay safe)….. football players included.
The only thing that can stop us is “The Sickness.”
Go Bucs!!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:25 pm
^playing
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:40 pm
The League HAS ordered it. It is part of the negotiated rules with the PA.
The league is not enforcing it.
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:40 pm
at least- per florio
October 23rd, 2020 at 5:13 pm
The commish needs to make it a hard rule no mingling after the game. It shouldn’t be up to the players, or coaches. Come on Rodger, use some common sense, and earn your 40 mill salary, and make it so.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:24 pm
JimmyJack, I’m with you.
Tom should have just came out and said, “I didn’t shake his hand because I was pissed off.” You should always try and be gracious in victory and defeat but it doesn’t always work that way.