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Former SEC standouts join calls for NFL to address COVID-19 health concerns
By SDS Staff
Published:
A day after the NFL officially set its training camp calendar, star players are using social media to call out what they see as the league’s lack of an adequate plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
“You want to watch football this year? Us players need to remain healthy in order to make that happen,” former Georgia running back Todd Gurley tweeted. “The @NFL needs to do their part in order to bring football back safely in 2020.”
Tweets from Gurley and other stars, including Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and JJ Watt, featured the hashtag #WeWantToPlay, signaling a coordinated effort by the players to get the attention of the national media and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“Crazy to see how the NFL is not following the recommendations of its own experts regarding health and safety for Us as players! As of today questions have not been answered and we want to play football. Y’all want to watch football this year?” former LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry tweeted.
Former Texas A&M standout Myles Garrett was brief in delivering a similar message.
“If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple.” Garrett tweeted.
Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, on the other hand, addressed the matter in multiple tweets:
Listen to your players. We all want to play.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 19, 2020
I LOVE FOOTBALL & My Kids do too please @NFL
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 19, 2020
MY KIDS LOVE THE GAME TOO. Protect us all! https://t.co/tKrvSz7qtC
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 19, 2020
It’s not about money it’s about health & safety. Do the right thing @nfl
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 19, 2020
Being a champion made me realize how important team is & also how important our families are to our team success. It’s a family game. #WeWantToPlay so let’s find a way to protect us players & our families.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 19, 2020
Pro football fans everywhere will be watching closely as it looks like Goodell and the NFL owners are facing a situation similar to what MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners faced ahead of its season.
Sense a trend…. pic.twitter.com/KJQqo7nKSI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2020
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
