The NFL has announced that teams can now be scheduled to play two Thursday night games during the season, a decision that has generated mixed reactions. While some argue that it will generate a better buzz by having better teams slated more than once, many NFL players and fans are against the idea. 

In the past, every team was given a Thursday game, which led to some bad football games. The addition of more Thursday night games has raised concerns about player safety. The NFL has been criticized for not caring enough about player safety, and former New England Patriots captain Devin McCourty has accused the league and the NFLPA of failing to prioritize player safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has had to defend the decision, with some questioning whether the league is putting broadcast deals ahead of its players. Goodell has denied this, stating that the NFL has looked at data regarding injuries and the impact on players, which does not show a higher injury rate. 

Despite Goodell’s remarks, retired superstar JJ Watt has taken to Twitter to slam the NFL for the decision, citing concerns about player safety and fans who have already made plans around Sunday games. He argues that the flexing of games from Sunday to Thursday is not a good idea, and that fans who have spent their hard-earned money should not have to change their plans. 

Given the contentious nature of the decision, it is fair to say that the NFL should expect to face scrutiny over it for some time. Whether or not the addition of more Thursday night games will prove to be a positive change for the league remains to be seen, but the concerns raised by players and fans deserve to be taken seriously.

Nothing the NFL Does Shocks Me Anymore 

As a sports blogger, I have had the opportunity to witness the good and the bad of the game of football. I have seen the moments of glory and the devastating injuries that can end a player’s career. And so, I must say that I am not surprised by the NFL’s recent decision to add another game to the Thursday Night Football schedule.

The truth is, the NFL has failed time and time again to prioritize player safety. The league seems to be more concerned with profits and pleasing owners than taking care of the players who put their bodies on the line every week. I can’t trust anything that comes out of Roger Goodell’s mouth, and I firmly believe that he and the billionaire owners put Amazon ahead of player safety.

Throughout my blogging career, I have learned that NFL players are not robots. They are human beings with families, emotions, and physical limitations. They have chosen a profession that demands physical strength and mental toughness, but that doesn’t mean we can turn a blind eye to the dangers they face on the field.

Yes, NFL players are paid to entertain us, but that doesn’t give us permission to expect them to sacrifice their safety for our entertainment. The players deserve to be protected, and the league should prioritize safety over profits. I want to be entertained by the game, but I don’t want to see players put at greater risk just so we can have a more competitive Thursday Night Football game.

I call upon the NFL to put the wellbeing of the players at the forefront of all their decisions. Players should feel safe and cared for, and fans should be able to enjoy the game without guilt. We can have our cake and eat it too – the league simply needs to prioritize player safety over profits.