Understanding the Privilege and Responsibility of Professional Athletes During a Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard on people's lives across the country, especially in terms of finances. More than 40 million people have filed for unemployment in recent months, leaving many hardworking Americans struggling to make ends meet for years to come. But even high-income earners, who have been less impacted by the pandemic, are not entirely immune to its effects. One such group is MLB players, whose season has been postponed due to safety concerns. The league has even considered cutting player salaries by half for the shortened season.

However, Rays pitcher Blake Snell was not too thrilled about the idea of playing for half the pay. In a video, he stated, "the risk is way the hell higher and the amount of money I'm making is way lower. Why would I think about doing that?" Snell, who signed a $50 million, five-year contract, also expressed concerns about the health risks involved in playing during a pandemic.

While it's understandable that Snell and other players are concerned about their health, it's also important to acknowledge that playing half a season for half the pay is still significantly more money than most Americans will make in their lifetime. Plus, baseball players have the unique opportunity to provide some much-needed entertainment for fans during these difficult times.

That being said, Snell's comments did come off as a bit selfish and tone-deaf, considering the struggles that many Americans are facing right now. With the already-existing scrutiny on athletes' salaries, it's wise to be conscious of how comments like these can be perceived. It's essential to remember that many people cannot afford basic necessities like food and shelter, and even making $25 million instead of $50 million is still a vast amount of money.

As fans, it's essential to support our favorite teams and players, but it's also vital to recognize the privilege that comes with being a professional athlete during these tough times. Let's hope that MLB and its players can come up with a solution that is fair for everyone involved.