The latest players who voiced out their concerns before the opening of the upcoming season came from the AFC North powerhouse Baltimore Ravens. Like the majority of the NFL players, they also want the league to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tavon Young made sure his sentiment was heard on Twitter:
We need the NFL to make sure we are safe and the people around us are safe. Missed last year because of injury and don’t want another missed season because of safety issues #WeWanttoPlay
— Tavon Young (@TY_Real1) July 19, 2020
All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker also echoed his teammate's words:
We need answers and we need them now. We need to know that the @NFL is doing everything in its power to ensure the health and safety of the players. Simply put, the @NFL must heed the advice of its own medical experts if we are to play a full season. #WeWantToPlay
— Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) July 19, 2020
Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., wide receiver Willie Snead IV, and quarterback Robert Griffin III also showed their disappointment in the way health protocols are being heeded by the league as of the moment. The league is rumored to neglect the advice of health experts regarding the safety protocols to be set.
Maryland, the home state of the Ravens, recorded a single-day high of 925 new positive cases of the coronavirus on Sunday since May. On the same day, the five Ravens players all used the Twitter hashtag “#WeWantToPlay” as part of a coordinated campaign from the NFLPA meant to highlight the group’s criticisms of the league.
The Baltimore Ravens dominated the AFC North with a resounding 14-2 record last season. Their playoff aspirations came to an end by way of a 28-12 upset pulled off by the Tennessee Titans.
Reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and the rest of the team will be hosting division rivals Cleveland Browns on September 13 at the M&T Bank Stadium.
Before the Baltimore Ravens, among other contenders, get to compete for the Super Bowl, the league must first sort out the uncertainties in the new normal moving forward.