NFLPA issues statement ahead of Philadelphia Eagles camp

Good news as we head into Philadelphia Eagles camp?

When everyone’s lives were rocked thanks to the global health crisis that is COVID-19, NFL fans, especially the ones that cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles were hopeful. You see, despite the fact that so many had to alter their lives because of the Coronavirus pandemic, it was March.

We knew we wouldn’t get to see the annual NCAA basketball tournament. We knew the MLB season was in jeopardy, but football wouldn’t be in full swing for several more months. That gave us all hope. That hope began to swell when the NFL continued to go on with business as planned, at least to the best of their ability anyway.

We saw the free-agency signings. We saw the annual NFL Draft. We even spoke of games being played both without fans and with virtual fans. fast forward, and there seems to be a shadow cast on our hopes to feast on the game we all love.

Teams were allowed to return to their respective facilities once June arrived, and even though Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has, to this point, elected to stay at home, he’s vowed that his team will abide by all of the safety protocols when Eagles camp does begin. We’re just all fearful about when that might take place.

It seems like, now that we’ve gotten closer to the target date for training camp, the bad news is overflowing. Several members of the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys tested positive for COVID-19, including one Ezekiel Elliott. NCAA football programs are now quarantining their players.

The NFLPA releases a statement to the Philadelphia Eagles and the rest of the NFL’s 32 teams and their players.

Recently, the NFL Players Association released a statement to help with some of the damage control. Hopefully, the players will listen. This could be a major step in ensuring football will be played.

For those of you that may have missed it, here’s the statement.

"To all players, please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts. Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months."

Hold on. There’s more.

"We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences."

Based on that, we’d have to say this qualifies as a positive step in the right direction. Let’s hope the NFLPA can deliver. All everyone wants is football. All anyone wants is an NFL season. Let’s hope the players listen, take these precautionary measures, and do their part to ensure the fans can enjoy one.