NFL stars from Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz to Malcolm Jenkins and J.J. Watt tweeted to their millions of followers about what they feel is a lack of a strong health and safety plan for the 2020 season.
The tweets appeared to be a coordinated move, with every player using the same hashtag: #WeWantToPlay.
“We still have not been granted the full and proper training camp acclimation period necessary as recommended by the medical and training staffs,” Watt wrote. “We still do not know if there will be daily testing, every other day testing, etc.”
Wilson wrote that he was concerned because his wife is pregnant.
“We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones,” Wilson said.
The online push mimics what several Major League Baseball stars did in June when a plan for a 2020 season had yet to be negotiated — tweets that all contained the message, “Tell us where and when.”
Read some of the stars’ messages below:
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
I am concerned.
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020
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
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
Why isn’t the NFL listening to the recommendation from their own joint committee? If we want to have a full season it will have to look different. @NFL make the necessary changes. #WeWantToPlay
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) 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
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.