Let the players enjoy Christmas

Dear Roger and Adam (Affectionately known as Commissioner Goodell and Silver): Can you remember the holiday celebrations with your children? The joy you felt when you watched them open the gifts they had asked for and the fellowship around the dining table as you devoured a huge meal and had great conversation? There wasn’t much of anything to distract you as you played Santa and enjoyed the big day. While the memories are quite precious to you and your respective families, many of the players that make your leagues what it is today will once again be playing on Christmas Day when a total of seven games air on both television and Netflix, keeping your audience entertained between dinner and dessert. This annual over-saturation of hoops and touchdowns on Christmas day has become an automatic distraction from a day that is both sacred and special for millions of people in North America and beyond. While it’s a ratings bonanza for the various networks involved, it remains a huge disappointment to the players and coaches that will have to spend their holiday via Zoom or text. Despite what the marketing gurus tell you, America can wait a day or two for...