Prominent Miami Dolphin joins star players’ coordinated COVID-19 blitz against NFL
Many of the NFL’s top players took to Twitter to criticize the league’s approach to the COVID-19 crisis, including cornerback Byron Jones, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in March.
“The NFL continues to ignore major health and safety concerns putting the 2020 season in jeopardy. America wants to watch football and we want to play. Make the necessary changes @nflcommish [Roger Goodell’s Twitter account] #WeWantToPlay.”
Added Dolphins safety Eric Rowe: “I just want to play football but we need the @NFL to step up and create a safe work environment for us all!
Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry were among big names who weighed in Sunday afternoon.
“Crazy to see how the NFL is not following the recommendations of its own experts regarding health and safety for Us as players!” wrote Landry, who spent four seasons with the Dolphins before they traded him to Cleveland. “As of today questions have not been answered and we want to play football. Y’all want to watch football this year?”
As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted, a major issue for the players is the league shortening a proposed 21-day acclimation period once players report to camp in the coming days. The league reiterated Saturday that rookies are obligated to report this week; the Dolphins will start welcoming players back to Davie on Thursday after pushing the report day back from Tuesday.
But that’s just one of many outstanding issues.
Texans pass rusher Watt, who has taken a leadership role on behalf of players during this uncertain time, laid out the concerns on social media:
“We want to play.
“We want to be as safe as possible.
“The NFL can mandate that players show up to training camp regardless if any agreement has been reached between the NFL and the NFLPA.
“We still have not been granted the full and proper training camp acclimation period necessary as recommended by the medical and training staffs.
“We still do not know if there will be daily testing, every other day testing, etc.
“We still do not know if there will be preseason games or not.
“We still do not know how a positive COVID test will be handled in regards to others in close contact [in the huddle, directly engaged with, etc.]
“A strong and fair opt-out clause for those at higher risk or those with family members at higher risk has still not been agreed upon.
“If players do not show up on time, they can be fined or considered in breach of contract, even if health and safety protocols have not been agreed upon or IDER (Infectious Disease Emergency Response) plans have been approved.
“We want to play.”
JC Tretter, the players’ union president, said the coordinated media blitz was “our guys standing up for each other and for the work their union leadership has done to keep everyone as safe as possible. The NFL needs to listen to our union and adopt the experts’ recommendations.”
The Dolphins are set to open camp despite another 12,478 positive cases in Florida announced Sunday, and 28 new deaths in Miami-Dade alone.
This story was originally published July 19, 2020 at 12:40 PM.
