NFL 2020: Why players are calling out league officials over COVID-19 concerns with training camps set to start soon

Officials of the National Football League (NFL) previously laid out a full season schedule for 2020 amid the COVID-19 crisis. More issues, however, now come to light as players show a united front on social media, calling out the allegedly unclear guidelines in conducting games despite the ongoing pandemic. The pressure comes as it was announced the training camps would start as planned later this month.

NFL amid COVID-19: Players unite, tweet #WeWantToPlay as training camp approaches

NFL stars occupied the Twitterverse on Sunday with online posts, including the hashtag #WeWantToPlay in an attempt to let fans know they want the 2020 season to happen. The players, however, maintain that the lack of clear guidelines from league officials is raising red flags with the training camps about to start later this month.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said he is concerned about the training camp starting soon while having to go home to his pregnant wife, singer-songwriter Ciara. Malcolm Jenkins of the New Orleans Saints is one of the players who called out the NFL for being purportedly “unwilling to follow the recommendations of their own experts regarding player health and safety.” Stefon Diggs has also compared the NFL’s moves so far in addressing COVID-19 concerns to how NBA commissioner Adam Silver has led the basketball league to a season restart in the Orlando bubble.

JJ Watt summarized some points that sparked the social media campaign, including the unclear preseason plans and COVID-19 testing protocols. He added that the league has yet to agree to the “full and proper” acclimation period reportedly recommended by the league’s medical staff. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reported that there are still questions left unanswered on what would be the policies for players who would opt-out to play due to health concerns. “Clubs are enforcing management rights by setting reporting dates; players must show up or face discipline,” Pelissero added.

NFL 2020 season: When will training camps begin?

The mounting pressure aimed at NFL officials follows the confirmation that the league is proceeding with the originally planned training camp schedule for all 32 clubs. This means rookies will have to report on July 21, followed by quarterbacks and injured players on July 23, and the rest of the team on July 28.

With not much time left before the said schedule, it is yet to be seen if the league and the players’ association will finally agree on crucial terms for the NFL’s COVID-19 plans. Meanwhile, the league has previously announced its intentions to maintain a 17-week regular season program that would begin on Friday, Sept. 11, with a game between the Texans and the Chiefs.

Feature photo from Flickr user slgckgc under Creative Commons license CC BY 2.0