BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Tom Brady is facing criticism from the NFL Player's Union for holding work out sessions with his Tampa Bay teammates as COVID-19 numbers surge in Florida.
As ESPN reports, over the past few weeks, several Buccaneers team members and staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
That led to the NFL Player's Association doctor advising all NFL players to avoid working out together, especially is regions where cases are rising, like Florida.
Despite those health recommendations, Brady has continued to hold workouts with about a dozen of his new teammates, with sessions lasting up to two hours each.
Florida has seen COVID-19 cases rising sharply over the past week. On Saturday, the state reported nearly 10,000 new cases of coronavirus in a single day.
According to USA Today Sports, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith was asked about the group workouts, after Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was reported to be holding similar sessions of his own.
“Those practices are not in the best interest of player safety," Smith told USA Today. "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."
On top of those safety concerns, Smith said Brady’s workouts will also negatively impact the NFLPA’s upcoming coronavirus negotiations.
“I certainly understand how competitive our players are, and I get that," said Smith. "But at the same time, we have to negotiate with the league about what happens to a player if they test positive during the 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.”
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