Ep17: Returning to the Gridiron in the COVID Era with Davin Joseph
Returning to the Gridiron in the COVID Era with Davin Joseph
With the anticipated start of the 2020 NFL season this September, what steps will be taken to protect the health of players, coaches, and fans? In this episode of “Trailblazer: The Sarina Fazan Podcast,” Sarina talks with former NFL player Davin Joseph about his thoughts on the impact of COVID-19 for pro sports, on and off the field.
Born and raised in Florida, Davin was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played eight seasons with the team as a right guard and was a two-time Pro Bowler. He also played for the St. Louis Rams in 2014 before leaving the NFL for a new career in real estate investments.
As a former player, Davin discusses the importance of sports in a community and how this pandemic has changed the way that teams will operate moving forward. Davin says, “We always see sports throughout everything. No matter what the country’s going through, it seems like sports always continues to exist. And, this is the first time that I really know about, that sports have been stopped across the board. And now it leaves us wondering, kind of, what’s the new normal? What’s it going to be like to see sports in the near future?”
While the NFL has promised that there will be a 2020 season, the players have not been able to practice. So how will training camps be changed and how will players be able to prepare for their return to the gridiron? With much of the world conducting business online, NFL teams have tried to adapt, making playbooks available to players virtually. However, as the planned start of the season approaches, the NFL has not made a final determination on its plans for testing, safety protocols, facilities, and fan policies.
How the upcoming season will be handled is of particular interest in Tampa since Tom Brady signed to start as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2020 season. The community is especially excited about the franchise’s future. Davin says, “I think it’s at an all time high. It seems like Tampa’s going to change for the better. And, I think there’s been a lot of changes that have taken the Buccaneers in the right direction, and this one definitely has to be the biggest splash they’ve made in a long, long time.”
So, how in the COVID era can teams resume playing and will fans be there to cheer them on? Davin says, “I believe that there will be fans in the stands here in Tampa. You know, when you talk about heat, humidity, open-air stadiums, I think there’s less risk. If we played in a dome, it would probably be a lot different. As we were discussing before, governors in different states have different takes, different cases, difference perspectives about sports. I believe that pro sports will get back to normal. Collegiate sports will be very, very hard to see.”
But, many pro sports – and especially football – simply can’t be played without contact, which heightens the risk of COVID-19. Davin says, “So, of course, the teams aren’t going to want the liability to say that, if you decide the participate, that they can’t guarantee. So, it’s essentially going to be at your own risk. So, of course, the nature of playing contact sports is at your own risk. There’s no way to guarantee that you won’t be injured. Of course, you put on helmets, shoulder pads, braces, and still get hurt. So now you have an illness that’s going to be treated a little bit different than an ACL, then now you’re at your own risk to be responsible for your health.”
Davin left the NFL after sustaining a career-ending injury, so he definitely understands the risks involved in pro-sports. While he is no longer playing pro football, Davin began a second career in real estate, buying and renting homes in Tampa Bay and his hometown of Hallandale Beach. He’s also still involved in the community through initiatives like his annual turkey donation to a local church and the pre-game meals he provides for school sports teams. He says to young athletes, “You have to be where you’re at. Of course, we can always dream about where we want to go, and I think that’s great. But, those day-to-day challenges of getting up and working hard and doing things the right way. Integrity, right, about how you work and what you do and the person you’re developing yourself to be, it’s an everyday challenge. So, it’s not necessarily about where you want to end up. But the journey is so enriching of the discipline you can take with you, whether you make it or not.”
If you’re interested in Davin’s rental properties, visit www.KongMG.com