Kirk Herbstreit: NFL, college football should be postponed due to COVID-19

Will the NFL and college football seasons go on as scheduled? At the moment, yes, but things could take a turn for the worse in the coming months.

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused the MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS to postpone their seasons with no timetable for a return. It wouldn't be a surprise if football hit pause as well.

ESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes the NFL and NCAA should postpone the start of their seasons due to the risk of getting the virus.

"I'll be shocked if we have NFL football this fall, if we have college football. I'll be so surprised if that happens," Herbstreit said, according to TMZ Sports. "Just because from what I understand, people that I listen to, you're 12 to 18 months from a [coronavirus] vaccine. I don't know how you let these guys go into locker rooms and let stadiums be filled up and how you can play ball. I just don't know how you can do it with the optics of it."

Herbstreit also mentioned that people don't realize how much time and preparation are needed to plan for the season. With the COVID-19 outbreak, NFL teams and officials aren't even allowed in their facilities at the moment because of growing concerns. 

Even the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas has been moved to an online format from April 23-25, with teams participating in video chat to make their picks. Herbstreit makes a fair point, but the powers-that-be in both professional and college football aren't ready to delay their seasons.