I totally get it that some players have home situations that make them feel they just can't risk it.
But what do you suppose the percent is of players who have family they live with, with autoimmune problems? 5%? 2%? Not that I know, but I'd bet it is 1% or less judging what it is for the rest of society.
I understand that right now there's a negotiation brewing that players that opt out for fear of Covid should STILL be paid as though they were injured; or perhaps get some portion of a paycheck. Gee. Would I play if got paid either way? The amount of players that wouldn't would be huge. And it certainly isn't fair under any reasonable scenario.
The world and a business cannot operate and make decisions based on low probabilities, or on catering to the relative few.
If a player for his own reasons doesn't want to play as regards Covid, so be it. But he must suffer the entire consequence of it, since the work is available. No reason his employer should pay because the player is fearful for himself or others.
This is what being an adult means. We assess risk, make our choices, and accept the consequences. It's not on somebody else to share that burden of our consequences.
I guarantee you that only a very few players on each team would ever opt out of playing and especially if it meant not get paid. But I also guarantee you the NFL teams will have no trouble filling their rosters with worthy players will to take the risk.
