Sports At Christmas 2021

As we approach Christmas and then the end of 2021, I like to write about the past year. Mostly it is a reflection upon what has happened with perhaps a peek at what will happen in the upcoming year. 

The sad thing about this retrospective is that we are once again at a COVID-19 crossroad when it comes to sports. Because we can all attest that this pandemic is not even close to being over. 

What was happening in 2020 is now happening in 2021. Basketball games postponed or canceled. NFL games shifted to Monday or Tuesday. The NHL is on a lockdown until they can figure out what to do next, and the league’s dilemma is complicated by its significant presence in two countries which do not share COVID treatment philosophies. 

Let’s be realistic. We, the sports fans of this country, became complacent. We thought the pandemic was not that bad anymore and that sports could proceed without serious hiccups. Yeah, right.

We have managed to have championships determined in somewhat normal fashion in baseball, college basketball, college football, the NBA, NFL and NHL. Now that is not so likely to happen. 

First, the Delta variant appeared, wreaking its own form of havoc. It has been usurped by the Omicron variant. The numbers of the infected are surpassing previous high marks on a daily basis. People who have been so careful are now getting the virus. 

What I have observed has troubled me. I attended two New Jersey Devils games at the Prudential Center in Newark on December 16 and 19. The Thursday night affair with the Vegas Golden Knights was not well-attended, with maybe half of the arena filled. A much bigger crowd, just short of capacity, was there on Sunday night for “Star Wars Night.”

The advance requirements for entry to the arena was proof of vaccination along with your tickets. I thought this was acceptable. Except that wasn’t. 

The bigger concern was if an entrant was wearing a mask to enter the building, and for males, taking off one’s belt to make it through the metal detector. Unfortunately, once beyond the ticket scanning, the masks came off of almost all faces. 

I felt very uncomfortable with the situation. Sitting masked in our seats, we saw virtually no masks covering faces. Those who wore masks had them situated below their faces. No arena staff even sought to enforce a mask mandate; the arena personnel wore masks, but the policy definitely was masks were preferred but not required. 

Rutgers has changed its policy for entry into Jersey Mike’s Arena. Proof of vaccination or a very recent negative COVID test will suffice for entry. The difference from the Prudential Center is that masks are expected to be worn during the duration of the event and those who fail to do so will be asked to leave. Supposedly the mask wearing was a previous policy, but I didn’t see that much of it when RU games were televised. 

F&M has an attractive men’s basketball tournament—the Sponaugle New Year’s Tip Off. It will be held on December 29 and 30. The participants include a very good Wesleyan team taking on Wilkes in Game 1, with the host Diplomats facing a good Alfred team in the Wednesday night cap. 

This would have been a chance to see schools F&M normally does not play in an afternoon doubleheader the next day. So I inquired about the policies for entry into Mayser Center. I was told no proof of vaccination required and masks were to be worn. I had considered going, but there wasn’t enough safety in place for me to be really comfortable. Besides, even if there was a proof of vaccination requirement, I wonder how many people have fake cards to go along with their picture ID?

Look—I am back to take out after having experienced proof of vaccination requirements in Hawaii and New York City eateries, which gave me some degree of comfort. At least until Omicron invaded. Call me prudent—we did not remove our masks at any time during the trips to and from the arena on NJ Transit nor did we take them off at any time in the Prudential Center. 

Americans want their world to continue. I get it. But how best to do this is still debatable throughout the country. 

With sports, the virus has run roughshod. Rutgers and Seton Hall men’s basketball teams were infected (probably SHU gave it to the RU players) and unable to play regularly scheduled contests. RU has rescheduled games at home with Central Connecticut and Maine. Seton Hall’s predicament about forfeiting conference games with Big East foes De Paul and St. John’s due to COVID depleting their squad led to an amendment of the rules in place, because they seemed to be a bit unfair. 

Many other college teams have had similar occurrences. This has impacted the college bowl scene, as Texas A&M was so decimated by the coronavirus that it could not field a team to face #20 Wake Forest in the Tax Slayer Gator Bowl. Hawaii, the host team in the Hawaii Bowl, had to pull out due to COVID infections, leading to a cancellation of that post-season event. 

In the case of the Gator Bowl, the NCAA awards teams for academic performance. 5-7 teams with high APR would receive consideration for bowl eligibility if needed. Which became a necessity and has led to Rutgers receiving an emergency invitation to the Gator Bowl. Good for them, although the team hasn’t practiced since its loss to Maryland on November 27.

With the College Football Playoffs set to start on December 31, a school unable to field a team would be forfeiting the game. There is some leeway for the championship, set at this time for January 10. The fact that this pronouncement was made is ominous. 

The NBA has its showcase event on Christmas Day. Five games on national TV, beginning at noon Eastern time. Commissioner Adam Silver is gung ho to keeping the season going, despite disruptions which have affected teams like the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, among others. Remember, only a bit over 60% of the players are vaccinated. 

The Nets may just be able to put together a team to face the Lakers in LA on Saturday. However, the best player and NBA-leading scorer, Kevin Durant, may not be able to play. 

Fans are paying top dollar for these events and getting less than they expected. Droves of replacement players are being signed to fill up NBA roster space; the Nets signed 40 year old Joe Johnson because they were so desperate to have healthy bodies to use in a game. The Devils were using minor league call ups on defense and it showed; the transaction pages in the newspapers are filled daily with the movements between the parent clubs and the minor league affiliates or replete with new signees. 

The NFL may be facing more postponements in its last 4 regular season weeks. The New York Jets have 20 players on COViD restriction. As of Friday morning, the team had 45 available players on its roster. I can see the game with Jacksonville being moved into next week.

COVID hurt the Washington Football Team. The game at Philadelphia, moved to Tuesday night to allow WFT to have  a team on the field, demonstrated the lack of competitiveness. The New Orleans Saints will be using a rookie QB after the current starting QB, Tayson Hill, got COVID. Such are the instances which will be occurring repeatedly throughout the remainder of the season with so many players unavailable. Even with a vaccine rate said to be over 90%. 

Coaches are impacted, too. Rick Carlisle and Frank Vogel in the NBA were out due to the protocols. Sean Payton of the Saints has contracted COVID a second time. Robert Saleh of the Jets is out because he is ill from the virus. 

The NHL players have decided not to attend the Beijing Olympics in February. Health and safety priorities were cited. Plus the three week period off from regular season competition may be needed to complete postponed games or set up a bubble.

That’s right. You heard me. The bubble may have to return if the pandemic isn’t under control very soon. And the rumor that the Ivy League is considering canceling spring sports isn’t so far-fetched. 

We haven’t even heard about baseball players. I can only imagine how many of them are sick and what kind of impact that might have once the players-owners stalemate is resolved. 

I have no answers for the sports chaos unfolding. Yes, games are being played. But at what cost to those playing and those who opt to attend? 

This is sports at Christmas 2021.