(AP) — NFL players are publicly pleading with the league to address several health and safety concerns on the eve of training camp.
The league informed teams on Saturday that training camps will open on time even though discussions with the players’ union regarding testing for the coronavirus and other health and safety protocols are ongoing.
Rookies for Houston and Kansas City are set to report Monday and rookies for other teams are due on Tuesday. Players for all teams are scheduled to report by July 28.
Many prominent players expressed their thoughts in a social media blitz Sunday.
"I am really nervous about putting myself at risk without any safety measures being set in place. I’ve had a family member (27) contract the virus and they didn’t think they were going to make it. This is serious. If we are going to play in a pandemic the [NFL] must keep us safe," tweeted Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett.
"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," Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson wrote.
Players Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes, Todd Gurley, Myles Garrett, and numerous others tweeted out similar messages.
