A conference call held on Friday between members of the Pro Football Writers of America and the leadership of the NFLPA covered many bases. One of the key takeaways I got from the call: the union got clearance from team doctors that it is safe to open training camps.
NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Assistant Executive Director of External Affairs George Atallah, and President JC Tretter repped the players’ association. Smith took the lead when the subject of reporting for training camp came up.
Smith stated that in a conference call with some NFL team doctors on Thursday, the message was that it will be safe to proceed with opening training camps as early as next week, per the doctors. He noted the doctors had “a couple reservations” about resuming work, but that their overall opinion is that there is no medical reason not to commence camps.
Both Smith and Tretter stated several times during the 90-minute call that “player safety comes first”, and Tretter expressed the concern of many players about traveling to camps. Rookies are set to report for the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans next weekend, with other teams set to follow in the subsequent week.
Earlier in the day, the Colorado Dept. of Health approved the Broncos plans for holding training camp and making accommodations for the COVID-19 pandemic. The Browns camp in Berea is subject to local pandemic jurisdiction, but as of now the state of Ohio has not barred the activities.
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