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The NFL announced training camp reporting dates on Saturday, but we were skeptical on how smooth things would go because the players and the NFLPA have not been happy with the lack of answers they’ve received regarding safety measures and protocols related to the pandemic. Around noon on Sunday, the players struck back, launching a targeted “We Want to Play” campaign on social media.
J.J. Watt’s expanded message illustrates some of the specific concerns that can’t be said all in one tweet. Several key members of the Cleveland Browns took park in the campaign, with NFLPA President and center JC Tretter also weighing in:
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
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?#WeWantToPlay
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) 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 ⚡️ (@MylesLGarrett) July 19, 2020
Just make it make sense; @NFL . This isn’t a “wait it out and see” situation; we are talking about lives! The health and safety of our players should be of the utmost importance & right now your current stance on this is a ill reflection of that. #WeWantToPlay
— Larry Ogunjobi (@Mr_Ogunjobi) July 19, 2020
How will the NFL respond?