Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is never shy about sharing his thoughts. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Monday, Beckham expressed his doubt about the NFL actually playing a season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with WSJ reporter Lane Florsheim that took place in mid-July, Beckham offered skepticism and reluctance for the NFL to try to operate in the midst of the coronavirus. His doubts echo what many fans feel about the drive to return to the field. Beckham also expressed views that doubt the sincerity of the NFL’s owners, believing that playing during a pandemic is all about the mighty dollar.
“We’re not ready for football season. So why are we trying to push forward? It’s obviously for their money. And that bothers me because there’s always been this — and I hate saying it like that — but the owners’ [attitude is], ‘Oh we own you guys,’ and just kind of that unfairness going on that they don’t see us as human. I just feel like the season shouldn’t happen and I’m prepared for it to not happen and I wouldn’t mind not having it.”
He summed up his thoughts at the time,
“I just feel like the season shouldn’t happen and I’m prepared for it to not happen and I wouldn’t mind not having it.”
It’s important to note that the interview took place over two weeks ago, before the NFL and NFLPA agreed to safety protocols and procedures to return. Beckham has since changed his tune, per May Kay Cabot of cleveland.com and others,
Odell Beckham's Jr.'s interview with WSJ was done 2 weeks ago before he saw how safe the #Browns facility was, and he has no plans of opting out, multiple sources tell me https://t.co/iTuhXm2evx
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 3, 2020