As the NFL and its players continue on a collision course on the nature of return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic, one notable player provided a compelling example of why players are so eager and suspicious to return.
On Friday, Whitworth appeared at a press conference organized by multiple NFLPA leaders and explained, in detail, how the coronavirus affected his family.
“When we say you have to make good decisions and have to be careful outside the building, we are talking about things as simple as going to lunch with someone,” Whitworth said. “All it takes is an exhibition, and that’s the reality and my story is an example of that.”
Whitworth says that a family member recently went to lunch with a friend, and a couple of days later, that family member started to feel bad and ended up taking a COVID-19 test.
“The next thing we know is that she had it,” said Whitworth. “A couple of days later, my wife and I had it. A couple of days after that, my kids had it. So we were 7 out of 7 at the time.” and then, unfortunately, we had just visited my wife’s family, and we were also traveling with them, and his parents understood that. “
Some studies have shown that older people have had a harder time removing the virus than younger people, and Whitworth said that was the case in this case, as he, his wife and children ended up well: “Everything seemed to be going fairly good”. normal, it was a fairly mild case, “he said, but for his parents, it was not so since his father-in-law was hospitalized.
“Fortunately for us … we took him home about four or five days ago and now he is home with us and we are so blessed that he and he are doing well,” Whitworth said. “But it was definitely a scary thing and I realized how contagious this really is. It doesn’t take much and it can spread like wildfire.”
Hence the union’s insistence on player safety. NFLPA President and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter and union executive director DeMaurice Smith said this is the organization’s main concern, even before dealing with persistent wage cap problems with the scheduled start of the training camp that will take place later this month.
Tretter, an offensive lineman, also mentioned his personal interest in this matter, not only as union president but also as a person with a high body mass index, which has led to complications in some infected with the coronavirus. He stressed the importance of “risk mitigation”.
“I am a center, so I am living it, this time more than any other, I have a very dangerous job, not only as normal soccer is but with what is happening in the world,” said Tretter. “My work, especially, has become more dangerous.”
Tretter noted that a concern considers how the virus is transmitted and can see any image from a December game and see how much breath moves back and forth among the linemen.
“[That’s] what will happen if sick people are involved on the offensive or defensive line or any player, “Tretter said.” Those are the really tough decisions we keep asking to try to achieve those correct protocols, and that’s why the security aspect of health is so important to this.
“Because we are all at risk, our families are at risk, and different positions may be even more at risk. Combining that with the CDC guidelines on what underlying conditions make you more vulnerable, with a high BMI, you’re now looking at a player who is more exposed and has an underlying condition – those are the questions guys have to ask. understand “.
In that regard, Smith noted that the NFLPA is pushing for daily testing.
While much remains to be resolved between the league and its players, Smith added that fans who want to watch soccer in the fall can also play their part.
“Something as simple as wearing a mask will probably have the most significant impact on the extent and if the sport returns in this country,” said Smith. “And that is not a political statement; that’s common sense and a scientific statement. “
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