JJ Watt, Drew Brees and More Call Out NFL for Ignoring Player Safety

With training camp starting soon, players called out the NFL over its COVID-19 protocols.

With plenty of questions swirling around the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, players are demanding the league to step up and create a safe work environment.

Numerous players took part in a coordinated posting blitz Sunday afternoon using the hashtag "WeWantToPlay." With training camp starting soon, the players are looking for the league to provide answers.

The NFL sent a memo to all 32 clubs Saturday confirming that rookies will report to camp on July 21. Quarterbacks and injured players are set to arrive on July 23, while all other players will report on July 28. Rookies on the Chiefs and Texans have only one day, July 20, until they arrive. The dates slightly differ for both teams since they will kick off the regular season on Thursday, Sept. 10. 

Texans defensive end JJ Watt and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes were among the powerful group of players calling for the NFL to take action.

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

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

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

It blows my mind that the NFL is unwilling to follow the recommendations of their own experts regarding player health and safety. If we want to have a FULL season this year we need the NFL to listen to their experts!   #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/q55RpqRzPu

— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) July 19, 2020

We all want to play this season, but we need to stay safe in order to actually have a season! It’s time for the @NFL to step up and do their part so that us players can be safe at work and go play the game we love! #WeWantToPlay

— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) July 19, 2020

Its crazy to hear that the NFL has yet to address major health issues with training camp being a couple days away. We ready to play football. Make it happen @NFL Keep us Safe! #WeWantToPlay

— Brandon Graham (@brandongraham55) 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

If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. #WeWantToPlay

— Myles Garrett (@Flash_Garrett) 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

What you are seeing today is 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 #wewanttoplay

— JC Tretter (@JCTretter) July 19, 2020

My wife is pregnant and due in a month and a half. I’ve lived with severe asthma since I was two. Players safety, as well as our families safety, needs to be the priority of the NFL. #WeWanttoPlay https://t.co/377w2vg0E9

— Austin Corbett (@BigCorbs73) 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

Several of the players' posts outlined their health and safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. Watt and Ertz addressed how the NFL has not granted players the 21-day training camp acclimation period recommended by the joint medical committee. Instead, the league wants to make room for two preseason games. Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association wants zero preseason games and a schedule has yet to be decided on. 

Players also don't know what will be the frequency of coronavirus testing or the protocol if they come in contact with a teammate who tests positive for COVID-19. 

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and union president J.C. Tretter of the Browns discussed some of these issues in a video conference call with members of the Pro Football Writers of America on Friday. Tretter said players would feel more at ease if daily testing is implemented due to the spikes in positive coronavirus cases in some states like California, Arizona, Florida and Texas.

The players are also waiting to hear what kind of protections they will receive if they opt-out of the season to protect themselves or a high-risk family member. The NFL reportedly offered an opt-out program in a proposal to the NFLPA that would give players until Aug. 1 to make a decision.

Despite worries over an unsafe work environment, the NFL can mandate that players show up to training camp. They could be fined if they fail to report, even if there is no agreement reached between the NFL and the NFLPA.