The 2020 NFL season stands upon the edge of a knife.
Tomorrow, rookies are supposed to begin reporting to team facilities for training camp. The rest of the players will join them July 28. Problem is, there are still many issues that haven’t been worked out between the league and the NFLPA regarding how this season is supposed to proceed.
Today, dozens of high-profile players have shared posts on social media expressing their concerns about safety protocols on the eve of camp. Here’s what they are saying.
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
I am concerned.
My wife is pregnant.@NFL Training camp is about to start..And there’s still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety. 🤷🏾
We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020
49ers CB Richard Sherman
The NFL has ignored the safety recommendations from the experts that THEY hired. We all love this game and want to go out and compete with our brothers. The NFL needs to provide a safe work environment for us to do that. #WeWantToPlay
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 19, 2020
Texans DL J.J. Watt
Once again in the interest of keeping everyone (players & fans) as informed as possible, here is an updated list of what we as players know and don’t know as the first group gets set to report to training camp tomorrow.#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/xQcjs33zgM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 19, 2020
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Getting ready to report this week hoping the @NFL will come to agreement with the safe and right protocols so we can feel protected playing the sport we love #WeWantToPlay
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 19, 2020
Saints QB Drew Brees
We need Football! We need sports! We need hope! The NFL’s unwillingness to follow the recommendations of their own medical experts will prevent that. If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. Get it done @NFL
— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) July 19, 2020
Falcons DT Grady Jarrett
I know you guys want to see football this year but we need the NFL to step up and create safer work environments for the players #WeWantToPlay
— Grady Jarrett (@GradyJarrett) July 19, 2020
Eagles CB Darius Slay
Why isn’t the NFL listening to the recommendation from their own joint committee? If we want to have a full season it will have to look different. @NFL make the necessary changes. #WeWantToPlay
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) July 19, 2020
Bills WR Stefon Diggs
If #AdamSilver can respect the voices and protect his @NBA players why can’t @NFLcommish do the same? Listen to your players. If we want to have a full season it will have to look different with OUR safety as the priority. @NFL make the necessary changes. #WeWantToPlay
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 19, 2020
Vikings LB Eric Kendricks
I just want to play football with my teammates but we need the @NFL to step up and create a safe work environment for us! #wewanttoplay
— Eric Kendricks (@EricKendricks54) July 19, 2020
Cowboys DB Byron Jones
The NFL continues to ignore major health and safety concerns putting the 2020 season in jeopardy. America wants to watch football and we want to play. Make the necessary changes @nflcommish #WeWantToPlay
— Byron Jones (@Byron31Jump) July 19, 2020
Browns WR Jarvis Landry
Crazy to see how the NFL is not following the recommendations of its own experts regarding health and safety for Us as players! As of today questions have not been answered and we want to play football. Y’all want to watch football this year?#WeWantToPlay
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) July 19, 2020
Eagles TE Zach Ertz
Playing football and feeling safe at work SHOULD NOT be mutually exclusive! Time is running down and we need answers #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/YPboNL47Mf
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) July 19, 2020
Falcons RB Todd Gurley
You want to watch football this year? Us players need to remain healthy in order to make that happen. The @NFL needs to do their part in order to bring football back safely in 2020. #WeWantToPlay
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) July 19, 2020
Panthers CB Donte Jackson
We shouldn’t have to beg for you guys to take our health seriously @nfl #WeWantToPlay
— Donte Action Jackson (@_DJack01) July 19, 2020
As some players have mentioned in their posts, we still don’t know if any preseason games will be played this year.
The fact that the NFL had months to prepare for this and still doesn’t have a clear plan for testing and safety protocols represents a serious failure by the owners, who have more than enough resources to meet the players’ very reasonable demands.
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