(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The NFL has received much scrutiny lately, especially regarding a few proposed rule changes.
During the offseason, teams can present rule changes to the league, which are then voted on, and potentially implemented.
One proposed change has been the opportunity to flex Thursday Night Football games, something that has never been done before.
Many analysts, fans, and players have been outspoken about this change, including recent retiree J.J. Watt.
Flexing games from Sunday to Thursday is a terrible idea for two main reasons:
1) Player Safety
You can’t make this decision and also preach that player safety is a priority.
2) Fans
People spending hard earned money to see their team play. Who’s paying to change their plans?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 29, 2023
Watt cites player safety and fans as the top two reasons to negate this proposal.
When the NFL schedule is announced, it is a time for planning, both for players, but also for fans.
Fans often spend weeks, even months, planning out trips to watch their favorite team.
However, if this Thursday Night flex scheduling does happen, a wrench could be thrown into that plan.
If a game is initially scheduled for Sunday, fans typically make their accommodations ahead of time.
These accommodations include flights, hotels, dinner reservations, and many more.
If a game is flexed from Sunday, these plans could be disrupted, causing them to either cancel their trip or scramble to make other arrangements.
Another issue is player safety.
The NFL season is long, and players need time to rest in-between games, preparing their bodies for battle on the gridiron.
However, if they get less time than expected, those plans can be shifted significantly.
If they don’t get adequate time to heal and recover, it could lead to a greater propensity to get injured.
The NFL has tabled this discussion for now in light of player concerns.
The post J.J. Watt Is Not Happy About A Proposed NFL Rule Change appeared first on The Cold Wire.