If The Handshake Does Vanish, What Will Replace It In The World Of Sport?
Apr 10, 2020, 1:41 PM
Jack Wighton of the Raiders and David Fusitu'a of the Warriors give each other elbow taps instead of a handshake due to the recent Coronavirus outbreak during the round 2 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on March 21, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Earlier this week, Dr. Fauci, who has served as the Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease since 1984, told Americans that the handshake will hopefully never make a return following the coronavirus pandemic.
“I don’t think we should ever shake hands ever again, to be honest with you,” Fauci said during an interview on the Wall Street Journal podcast. “Not only would it be good to prevent coronavirus disease, it probably would decrease instances of influenza dramatically in this country.
Killing off the handshake, which dates back to the 5th century B.C in Greece, will ultimately have a big effect on the sporting world.
Dr. Fauci says handshakes are cancelled, even after the pandemic. What's another thing that you hope never goes back to the way it was? I hope that we keep the 6 foot spacing while waiting in line for things.
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) April 9, 2020
In the English Premier League players line up and shake their opponent’s hand before every match. After just about every sporting fixture in the world, teams and players shake hands as a show of respect to the opposition player or team.
If there is no more handshaking, how will the world of sport be altered?
The members of KSL Sports have chimed in to offer their opinion on what they believe will become the new norm going forward-
Sports Director, Nate Dowdle and Digital Producer, Kyle Ireland are both on the same page as they believe that handshakes will turn into a wave of a head nod. Although Ireland did suggest that the fist bump may creep back into popularity, not that he thinks it is the safest route.
Fellow Digital Producer and host of the Crimson Corner podcast, Trevor Allen, also believes that the fist bump is in the driving seat.
Executive Digital Producer, Madisan Hinkhouse, thinks that hugs will be the way of the future.
Ben Anderson, host of the Jazz Notes podcast feels confident that “if you want people to stop shaking hands, the trick isn’t to ask them to no longer shake hands, it’s to make the handshaking routine so difficult nobody knows how to do it.”
“Enter NBA handshake legend Monta Ellis,” Anderson added.
Monta ellis Handshake 😳🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LSPL1zDuVX
— S.G (@calvindoyou) July 12, 2014
He may have a point.
My personal preference is that we stop any physical interaction altogether. My preferred option moving forward is for players to greet one and other with a simple head nod or wave. It just feels like the safest way to address someone. However, a fist bump seems to be the most likely outcome. Who knows, the elbow bump may take off shortly as well.
Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.
