Brees, Wilson warn there’s ‘no football in 2020’ unless NFL improves COVID safety protocols

NFL players including superstars Drew Brees and Russell Wilson warned league officials there will be “no football in 2020” if the recommendations of medical experts are not followed regarding coronavirus testing and safety.

The two quarterbacks were just some of the NFL players who issued such messages as rookies began to report to training camps in anticipation of the fall season.

“We need Football! We need sports! We need hope!” Brees wrote on Twitter to his more than 3.2 million followers. “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.”

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

Wilson also took to social media to share his concerns about his pregnant wife.

“My wife is pregnant. @NFL Training camp is about to start.. And there’s still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety.” Wilson wrote. “We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay.”

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 Players Association has several demands going into training camp, including daily testing for the virus and the elimination of preseason games. 

A joint committee of doctors, trainers and strength coaches put together by the NFL and NFLPA have recommended testing every other day. The league also usually has four preseason games, but have cut them to two due to the pandemic.

The league also sent players and teams an education protocol for training camp which includes calls on all 32 teams to conduct educational sessions for players, staff and family members.

Under the collective bargaining agreement ratified in March, the NFLPA could file a grievance alleging the league isn’t fostering a safe work environment.

The NFL is scheduled to kick off on Sept. 10 when the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs face the Houston Texans in a rematch of last year’s AFC divisional playoff.

The back-and-forth comes as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said the Giants, Jets and Rutgers University will play their 2020 home games without fans, with Murphy set to cite his statewide limit of 500 people at outdoor gatherings, according to a report by NJ Advance media.