NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith was not happy with Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf, both of whom participated in an ill-advised practice during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Those practices are not in the best interest of our players’ safety,” Smith told USA TODAY, via Seahawks Wire. “They’re not in the best interest of protecting our players heading into training camp, and I don’t think they are in the best interest of us getting through an entire season.
“All of the things that players may want to do during the offseason have a direct impact on how well we can negotiate protections for them once the season starts,” Smith said.
ELEVATE.
Year 2. @DKM14 pic.twitter.com/VOrpBdxt8f
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 23, 2020
Wilson and Metcalf are in hot water for the Seahawks after the NFLPA's medical director Dr. Thom Mayer released a strongly worded letter to the players to avoid group workouts due to surging cases of COVID-19 across the nation. New Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Tom Brady was the target of one such message for violating the suggestion by the players association as he and teammates in Florida practiced. Brady later dismissed the discouragement by quoting President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Wilson, a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks, was playing at MVP level during the 2019 season before getting overshadowed by then-second-year Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's achievements. Meanwhile, Metcalf will enter his sophomore campaign with Seattle in 2020 after posting 900 receiving yards on 58 catches in his debut season last year, scoring seven touchdowns.
The Seahawks know that the NFL has set July 28 as the target date for players to convene at their respective teams' training camps this summer.
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