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Teams are getting set to report to training camps this upcoming month, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the working environment this upcoming season, and players are demanding answers.
In a coordinated social media posting blitz, several of the league’s top players called out the NFL for their lack of a coherent plan to keep them healthy while they return to play amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Players including Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, JJ Watt, and many others used the #WeWantToPlay hashtag to state they want to play this season but also want safety protocols in place.
NFL athletes have coordinated social media posts using the hashtag #WeWantToPlay.
Without an agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, players still have not been informed of critical health information including how and when players will be tested for COVID-19, per @JJWatt. pic.twitter.com/fm9ktVu8ty
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 19, 2020
Sense a trend…. pic.twitter.com/KJQqo7nKSI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2020
I count 80+ tweets from players over the last hour pushing for health and safety measures to be addressed before camp. Still so much uncertainty with camp scheduled to open this week and kickoff in under two months.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 19, 2020
Once again in the interest of keeping everyone (players & fans) as informed as possible, here is an updated list of what we as players know and don’t know as the first group gets set to report to training camp tomorrow.#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/xQcjs33zgM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 19, 2020
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
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) 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
— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) 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. #WeWantToPlay
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020
Playing football and feeling safe at work SHOULD NOT be mutually exclusive! Time is running down and we need answers #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/YPboNL47Mf
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) July 19, 2020
You want to watch football this year? Us players need to remain healthy in order to make that happen. The @NFL needs to do their part in order to bring football back safely in 2020. #WeWantToPlay
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) July 19, 2020
I want to play ball this year! But we are going to need the @NFL to make sure they are listening to everyone and taking the steps for the players and their families to be safe! #WeWantToPlay
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) July 19, 2020
The NFL has ignored the safety recommendations from the experts that THEY hired. We all love this game and want to go out and compete with our brothers. The NFL needs to provide a safe work environment for us to do that. #WeWantToPlay
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 19, 2020
Crazy to see how the NFL is not following the recommendations of its own experts regarding health and safety for Us as players! As of today questions have not been answered and we want to play football. Y’all want to watch football this year?#WeWantToPlay
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) July 19, 2020
If #AdamSilver can respect the voices and protect his @NBA players why can’t @NFLcommish do the same? Listen to your players. If we want to have a full season it will have to look different with OUR safety as the priority. @NFL make the necessary changes. #WeWantToPlay
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 19, 2020
Just make it make sense; @NFL . This isn’t a “wait it out and see” situation; we are talking about lives! The health and safety of our players should be of the utmost importance & right now your current stance on this is a ill reflection of that. #WeWantToPlay
— Olumide (@Mr_Ogunjobi) July 19, 2020