Facemasks are nothing new to the NFL, but they could take on an added purpose this fall.
The league is looking into modified facemasks that could include the material used for surgical or N95 masks to protect players from coronavirus this fall, the NFLPA’s medical director told ESPN.
“Yes, it’s a possibility,” Thom Mayer said on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Back in early March, I suggested ways to handle the helmets and the facemasks … the league’s bioengineers are testing prototypes with Oakley. They’re looking at every issue, including when masks fog up.”
N95 masks filter out 95 percent of airborne particles, though there has been a shortage of them at times since the coronavirus began to hit the country.
The NFL is still planning to begin its season as scheduled in September, though all offseason programs are currently being held virtually. Teams can begin to reopen their facilities on Tuesday, as long as they are allowed to within local and state regulations.
