The NFL Players’ Association has issued some strong warnings against players continuing to practice in groups in light of the recent uptick in COVID-19 infections around the nation. Yet, players around the league – including quarterback Tom Brady – have chosen not to heed the union’s advice.
Last week, the union’s top medical official released a statement urging players to avoid group practices ahead of the official start of training camps.
“It is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” wrote Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFLPA’s medical director. “We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences.”
The continued group workouts have become a cause for concern as the league is still grappling with the protocols necessary to safely begin the season and the threat of spreading the virus among players could truly jeopardize that process.
“Those practices are not in the best interest of player safety,” NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith recently told USA TODAY Sports. “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 off-season have a direct impact on how well we can negotiate protections for them once the season starts,” Smith continued. “When you look at the risk factors for COVID-19 – high (body mass index), sleep apnea, asthma, players that are prone to blood clots – that’s our membership. “For some of the players who’ve practiced, we’ve made sure they’ve heard the message.”
But with group practices still taking place, the message may have been heard, but is clearly being ignored by some.
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June 27, 2020 at 03:01AM
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Why continued group workouts could jeopardize safe start to NFL season - Seahawks Wire
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