Philadelphia Eagles players really want the NFL to take safety seriously
The Philadelphia Eagles just want to play it safe.
Safety is paramount to the NFL.
There are strong safeties, free safeties, safeties that line up in the slot, and even safeties who earn the dubious distinction of being called a ‘dime linebacker’ aka a bigger defensive back who exclusively plays in the box against super spread out aerial attacks.
I kid, of course, this isn’t about the safety position but something all the more vital: The safety of the NFL’s players amidst the novel coronavirus.
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Unlike baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, the Summer Olympics, NASCAR, etc, the NFL has largely been able to hold their scheduled events without a hitch, as neither free agency nor the draft require in-person attendance. The league was (thankfully) able to get the combine in the books just prior to Rudy Gobert’s COVID-19 diagnosis and outside of having to hold OTAs online there really hasn’t been too much different about this offseason than any other.
But that, unfortunately, is about to change.
With in-person training camps set to open up across the league later this month – July 28th to be exact – players the league over have taken to social media using the hashtag #WeWantToPlay to express concern over the league’s lack of transparency and preparedness for what could be a veritable virus cocktail from all over the country. From Carson Wentz to Zach Ertz, Darius Slay, Rodney McLeod, Brandon Graham and even our old friend Malcolm Jenkins, members of the Philadelphia Eagles are taking a page out of their South Philadelphia Sports Complex neighbor’s, the Philadelphia Phillies, handbook to hopefully force their league’s hand to enact proper measures to keep the season on track.
And frankly, every single person reading this should be wholeheartedly supporting their efforts.
Now as you may or may not know, having no professional sports for the last four months and counting has been a nightmare. There is nothing to watch, the gambling industry has turned to some truly unique prop bets, and it’s become increasingly harder to find interesting storylines to read (and write) about in regards to your favorite team. To many fans, the best possible outcome would be to get these athletes back on the field – or court, ice, pitch, etc – as soon as possible, even if it means having said games without fans.
That, however, could be a mistake.
Look, I want sports back too but as The Ringer’s Editor-at-large Bryan Curtis pointed out expertly in a piece titled ‘Sports Are Coming Back. Is Sports Media Coming Back With It?‘ if this relaunch fails it could breed catastrophe for hundreds, thousands, even millions of people’s livelihoods across the country. While some will turn up their noses at millionaires not wanting to play because of a ‘little virus’, what about the people working in the ticketing offices? Or the barkers slinging hot dogs down the aisles of Citizens Bank Park? As a writer, I’m borderline terrified that my chosen industry may forever be rocked so early in my career. Wentz, Ertz, and company aren’t just looking out for their self-interests, but ours too.
But what is there to do? Is it even possible for the NFL to get a comprehensive plan together in a little under two weeks? Did they seriously boggle this four-month lead this bad to the point where opening day may be pushed back into October, or later?
Aqib Talib is still unsigned… just saying. dark. Next
If the NFL is serious about keeping their players safe, they need to talk to their players to forge a course of action that allows them to perform at a high level while also maintaining their health. No one wants to see their favorite team suffer a lost season over a medical diagnosis a la Sam Darnold’s mono in 2019, so the league must prioritize getting their medical situation right before worrying about lost advertising revenues, in-person ticket sales, or any other financial opportunities that become null-in-void if the season ends up getting canceled. For the sake of the Philadelphia Eagles, and their players, let’s hope they get it right.