Tag: Thom Mayer

DeMaurice Smith criticizes Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf for workout

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith criticized NFL players for ignoring social distancing guidelines and working out together.

 

NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Russell Wilson recently made waves by practicing ahead of the 2020 season with teammates, even after NFLPA Medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer’s advice that players should refrain from group workouts due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Wilson posted a video to Twitter that displayed him practicing with wide receiver DK Metcalf in spite of Mayer’s warnings.

In response, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith stated that the players participating in workouts with each other are being reckless by ignoring social distancing guidelines.

“Those practices are not in the best interest of our players’ safety,” Smith told USA TODAY. “They’re not in the best interest of protecting our players heading into training camp, and I don’t think they are in the best interest of us getting through an entire season.”

 

“All of the things that players may want to do during the offseason have a direct impact on how well we can negotiate protections for them once the season starts,” Smith said.

The Seattle Seahawks would do well to take heed of the risk of working out with teammates at this point in time and follow social distancing guidelines to the best of their ability.

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NFLPA medical director speaks with NFL agents about testing protocols

NFLPA medical director, Thom Mayer, spoke with NFL agents about COVID-19 testing protocols following the news several players are positive.

Before the National Football League becomes fully open for business, protocols need to be put into place for the safe reopening of team facilities and stadiums around the country.

Training camps are slated to start in six weeks for most clubs and the NFL must figure out how to handle those players and staff who ultimately test positive for COVID-19.

Following the news that players from both the Texans and the Cowboys have tested positive for the coronavirus, NFLPA medical director Thomas Mayer spoke with NFL agents, per Tom Pelissero.

“In a call with agents today, NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer said the current plan is to test players for COVID-19 about 3 times a week, isolating those who test positive,” Pelissero tweeted Monday afternoon. “Per Mayer, there’s a 90% chance reliable saliva testing is available before players return to facilities.”

Pelissero also noted that NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said the union and the NFL are expected “to make headway on overall protocols going forward in the next 30 days or so.”

More testing will inevitably expose more cases, however, the NFL must find a way to safely handle any potential outbreaks before players are allowed to report for duty.

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