Clubhouse Chatter: Should we keep the postgame handshake?
What our Sports staff has to say while waiting for the games to resume.
Yes, although in contact sports these athletes are getting their germs all over each other during competition anyway. So that's a completely different conversation. But if we're just looking at the handshake line, players could pass by and acknowledge each other, but handshakes really are no longer needed, or prudent. Handshakes, in general, probably are not a good idea anymore either. Shaking hands in a social or greeting situation has the potential for spreading all kinds of germs. And no more sign of peace in Catholic churches either. That made me feel uncomfortable long before any of this happened.
- Patricia Babcock McGraw
No. COVID-19 needs to go away forever. Sportsmanship stays.
- Jerry Fitzpatrick
You have quarterbacks and pitchers licking their fingers constantly, basketball players cleaning their shoes with their hands and hockey players blowing snot-rockets on the ice and cleaning their blades with their fingers and wiping their faces. I'd worry about that first.
- Barry Rozner
Maybe this season, if hockey is able to resume and there are playoffs. Next year and down the road, I'd say no. Handshake lines are a traditional part of the NHL postseason experience and they should return when the coronavirus is under control.
- Scot Gregor
That looks like the exact plan. Even two weeks ago our nation's medical expert on COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said the handshake probably would be eliminated the rest of our lives.
- John Leusch
Maybe the handshakes should disappear, but not the lines. Fist bumps already were common before the COVID-19 pandemic. If those aren't deemed safe enough, then there's always forearm bumps. In some form, I'd like to see the traditional sign of sportsmanship continue.
- Kevin Schmit