Tim Benz: We need the Steelers, NFL to stay afloat now more than ever
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We see where this is going, don’t we?
Chicago is issuing stay-at-home orders. Ohio is imposing tougher statewide mask mandates. Greece is in full lockdown nationwide.
In the sports world, college football games all over the map are being canceled or postponed. Pitt is “pausing” its football program’s activities because of covid-19 protocol concerns. The NHL can’t figure out how to get going. College basketball teams are announcing the start of their seasons before their schedules are even completed and while many of their campuses are going exclusively to remote learning.
“A Christmas Carol” is being performed virtually. And even Metallica is telling us don’t expect concerts for another year at least.
Exit Sandman!
In Pittsburgh, we need the Steelers more than ever. And, nationally, we need the NFL more than ever. Because there ain’t much else.
Given the nature of athletics at the college level, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to control the spread of coronavirus on a campus. And it’s going to be a lot more difficult to maintain play with so many conference and political governing bodies involved.
The efforts of college football teams, while noble in their attempts, are fraying. College basketball feels like it’s entering its 2020-21 season on a wing and a prayer just to avoid being the first major sport to get pinched by this pandemic twice.
The impending doom really does feel like March again.
(Pausing to check calendar.)
Wait, next March isn’t that far away, is it?
With hockey, the Canadian border issue is a big deal. So is the fact that the NHL needs fans to meet its bottom line far more than the other sports. If the arenas aren’t open, NHL television rights can’t carry the day.
And every game can’t be an outdoor “Winter Classic.”
So I have one simple request of the Steelers. Stay unbeaten. Don’t ever lose.
The longer this chase for 19-0 exists, the longer there is something to collectively anticipate week after week.
Too much to ask?
OK. I’ll make it easier then. Just get to the Super Bowl.
I mean, we don’t have to go to Tampa Bay with you to watch in person. Just get there. Please. I really can’t tap into Netflix and Hulu accounts any more than I already have. And I’m not quite buying this season of “The Mandalorian” as much as I did the first one.
Here’s my simple request of the NFL at large. Be smart. Keep playing. Figure out a bubble if you have to do it. And I think you have to do it.
I’ll say it for the one-millionth time. You can’t test this thing into oblivion.
You can soldier through, and hide in the bubble, at the same time. The NBA did it for the playoffs. So did the NHL. Baseball is a different animal. Unless the NFL is considering playing 30-minute double headers on Sunday.
That’d be tough for the Steelers, seeing as how they only play 30 minutes per game right now anyway. That might make them go .500 the rest of the way.
But if I can’t talk the league into a bubble, please stay diligent. I ask that of the players and coaches. I beg that of the league office.
No more stupid decisions of playing and practicing sick players just because the rules of the protocol allow it. Mike Tomlin used to be the king of the “one fail, all fail” mentality about playing through this pandemic.
Well, dressing Vance McD… Oh, right. Sorry. Dressing “Player McX” last Sunday was a “one fail” moment. Now let’s hope all the Steelers and Dallas Cowboys avoid failing their ensuing covid tests.
Be flexible. Schedule a Week 18. Bump back the playoffs if needed. Delay the Super Bowl in a worst-case scenario. And, frankly, I would’ve put in a contingency to shorten the playoffs. Not extend them.
I know the dollar speaks. But what’s the bigger payout? Super Bowl Sunday? Or Seahawks versus Bears in a No.1 versus No. 8 playoff game?
NFL Sundays are unique in America. And this could be a unique season in Pittsburgh. And, for once in 2020, I’m using the word “unique” in a good way.
At some point, I’m not going to be surprised if the NFL gets roadblocked from continuing. The powers that be may be even more powerful than Roger Goodell. And they might want to shut it down.
Just please, make that as hard as possible for them to do.