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With rookies scheduled to report to Training Camp in about 48 hours or so, there still are no solid protocols in place for teams to deal with COVID-19. That’s pretty mind blowing given that the league had about five months to figure this out and, for whatever reason, has not.
On Sunday morning, numerous star NFL players took to social media to voice their displeasure with the situation using the #WeWantToPlay hashtag on Twitter. Minnesota Vikings stars Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Anthony Harris were among them.
I want to play football and I know the fans want to watch football this year! For that to happen, we need the @NFL to step up and create a safe work environment for us players! #wewanttoplay pic.twitter.com/50oeWK5V33
— Anthony Barr (@AnthonyBarr) July 19, 2020
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
I want to play, I hope @NFL will have reached agreements with @NFLPA and Doctors so we can feel protected and execute a successful season under those protocol. WeWantToPlay
— Ant Harris (@HOOSDatDude) July 19, 2020
We’re officially down to the last minute when it comes to getting something in place before the start of Training Camp. Why is that a big deal? Well, as Close, Personal Friend of The Daily Norseman Tom Pelissero™ says, it could lead to legal troubles that, presumably, neither side wants to deal with.
All 32 teams have submitted infectious disease emergency response plans, which have been approved by NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills as well as joint infectious disease experts, per source. Union also must approve before teams can have more than 20 players in building.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 19, 2020
Rookies for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans are set to report on Monday, and if the proper procedures and protocols aren’t in place, the NFLPA could file a grievance alleging an unsafe work environment.
Again, it’s pretty difficult to believe that the NFL. . .the one league that had the luxury of time to get things figured out when all of the COVID craziness started. . .has not gotten things in order prior to now. We’ll see how this affects things going forward for the start of Training Camp and beyond.