Health And Safety Aren't Negotiable

The NFL has confirmed the July 28 start of training camp. There's still an "if" in the football going forward equation. If the NFL and NFLPA can finally agree to the necessary safety protocols, training camp will start. Players went after the league on social media yesterday demanding those safety protocols. It appears that the NFL has a plan. At least, NFL teams have submitted plans. The NFLPA has to agree to the plans.

from Tom Pelissero:
All 32 teams have submitted infectious disease emergency response plans, which have been approved by NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills as well as joint infectious disease experts, per source. Union also must approve before teams can have more than 20 players in building.

Seeing as the players have a role in the "if" it seems that their twitter stampede might've been less about a solution than part of the problem. There's a negotiation going on and that's a problem. Health and safety aren't negotiable.

The NFL and NFLPA have a common goal. A 2020 NFL season. The typical NFL-NFLPA mind-numbing negotiations are about money, revenue sharing, money, discipline, and money. These negotiations are about providing a safe work environment for the players, coaches, and staff at an extraordinary time. There shouldn't even be a negotiation. This is about the health and safety of people. That's not negotiable. Money shouldn't even be part of the equation. The league wants two preseason games. They'll say that those two games are necessary for the evaluation of personnel. It's really about the TV money that two preseasons games will bring. The NFLPA wants no preseason games so that there will be a longer acclimation period in place. The NFL isn't thinking about player health and safety with their stand on the number of preseason games. That's not right. If neither side can budge, meet in the middle with a single preseason game that allows for the recommended 21-day acclimation period. Compromise can still be a good thing even in the middle of a global pandemic. Testing should be done with the frequency that the medical experts suggest. That shouldn't require a negotiation. Use some common sense. I know that it's in short supply these days but find some. Most of what's holding up a contented NFLPA and even the NFL are decisions that really aren't for either to make. Listen to the medical experts. Use common sense. Be smart. Don't be a dick.