NFL reveals mouth shields to reduce spread of coronavirus

The NFL continues to look at creative ways to lower the risk of COVID-19 spread during games as it attempts to launch a 2020 season amid the pandemic. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL reveals Oakley Mouth Shields to reduce spread of coronavirus

By Blake Harper | Last updated 7/13/20

The NFL has unveiled the Oakley Mouth Shield, a product designed to help reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading during NFL games. The league is sending the Mouth Shield to all 32 teams, with large scale testing expected to help properly measure the product's effectiveness.

Currently, there is no requirement for players to wear any sort of mask during games but the NFL hopes that with a product like this, players will agree to wear it in order to keep themselves and others safe.

The NFL has unveiled a mouth shield to combat the coronavirus.

Currently, there is no mandate to wear the new product, but the NFL's medical experts are advocating for the use of the protective equipment. https://t.co/WFM1b5jnRd
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 13, 2020

"That's certainly what we're going to encourage," said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer. "And we hope that we're going to land on a product design that's something that everyone would want to wear, because they'll see the value and want that additional protection without any detriment to performance."

But will players buy into this idea? That remains to be seen. After all, several players have expressed their skepticism about the idea of having to wear a mask during games, including Texans pass rusher J.J. Watt. The former defensive player of the year has gone as far as saying that if players are forced to wear masks, he would consider sitting out the rest of the year.

However, if the Oakley Mouth Shield proves to be an effective, unobtrusive way to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it could convince players to get onboard. According to NFLPA medical director Dr. Thom Mayer, the two biggest problems players have expressed about wearing masks are visibility and breathability. If those two issues can be addressed, perhaps players will embrace the new product.

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