Some of the NFL’s biggest names took to social media on Sunday to express their concerns and anger over the lack of Covid-19 safety protocols as teams prepare to open training camps this week.
Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson along with Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt were among those expressing their frustration at the NFL ignoring advice from its own medical experts.
Drew Brees
(@drewbrees)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
July 19, 2020
“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,” tweeted Brees.
Wilson’s main concern centered around his wife’s pregnancy and how the NFL plans to protect family members.
Russell Wilson
(@DangeRussWilson)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
July 19, 2020
“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,” tweeted Wilson.
Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, also took to Twitter to highlight a list of issues that need to be addressed before camps open on Tuesday. Some of those outstanding issues include information about how often players will be tested and what will happen if someone does test positive for the coronavirus.
Watt also noted that an opt-out clause “for those at higher risk or those with family members at higher risk” had still not been agreed upon.
Patrick Mahomes II
(@PatrickMahomes)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
July 19, 2020
Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, who is widely considered the best player in the league also expressed his disquiet.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter.
There is also a debate over the number of pre-season games teams will play, with the league planning for two and the NFL Players Association wanting to skip them altogether.