The 2020 season is going to look far different from anything we've seen in the NFL's history as the league is trying to combat the COVID-19 pandemic while still pulling off a "normal" regular season. Protocols are being put in place all acro s the four major sports in the United States to help curb a potential outbreak and players are also Corey Ballentine Jersey changing some old habits that the pandemic has illuminated to be, well, kind of gro s. One example is hand licking.In today's world, you're encouraged to keep your hands as far away from your mouth as humanly po sible to reduce the risk of infection, but licking one's hands was rather commonplace among profe sional athletes in the pre-COVID-19 world. The NBA and MLB have since banned players from licking their hands as they resume play and while the NFL has no current rule Austin Seibert Jersey in place on the matter, Saints quarterback Drew Brees is looking to kick the habit. "The whole point is to help give your hands a little tackine s so you get better grip on the ball," Brees told . "I've actually been thinking about it a lot lately as I've started throwing again. Trying to avoid it, but it has been so habitual for so long. You don't realize how much you touch your face D.J. Chark Jersey and lick your fingers until COVID hit." While Brees may only recently be awakened to the fact that licking his hand numerous times in the midst of an NFL game is le s than sanitary, not everyone needed a global pandemic to realize it."It's so gro s, even when there isn't COVID," said former NFL offensive tackle Ryan Harris. "And just look where he puts his hands the play before, the play after, and the play he's running when he licks his fingers. Do the math. Honestly Alex Anzalone Jersey , there are a lot of every-day, don't-give-it-a-second-thought things people are going to have to give a second thought about." The NFL does have a number of protocols in place to help try and keep players safe amid the pandemic, including fines for players who enter . Self-policing, however, will be a major factor for players this season, especially as the NFL will be working without a bubble concept like the NBA and NHL have. While Brees kicking the hand licking habit may seem minute, it's a good example of the type of changes (big and small) Ryan McCollum Jersey that we'll see this season.