clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Donovan Smith doesn’t want to risk his health playing football during pandemic

The coronavirus is causing players to think twice about playing football in 2020.

By Gil Arcia

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Chicago Bears Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

NFL players across the league have been very vocal against playing this season, and rightfully so. Their health as well as the health of their loved ones have been on their minds ever since the league and NFLPA have been talking on how to head into the season.

One of the most recent players to speak on the issue is Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith.

The veteran took to Instagram to speak his mind, voicing his concerns.

“The unfortunate events of the COVID-19 pandemic have put a halt to a lot of things. Football is not one. To continue discussing the many UNKNOWNS do not give me the comfort. Risking my health as well as my family’s health does not seem like a risk worth taking. With my first child due in 3 weeks, I can’t help but think about how will I be able to go to work and take proper precautions around 80+ people everyday to then go home to be with my newborn daughter.”

You can read the full text of Smith’s comments below in his post, courtesy of the USA Today.

View this post on Instagram

@nfl @nflpa To whom it may concern: With the start of the 2020 NFL season fast approaching, many thoughts and questions roam my mind as I’m sure it does for many of my fellow “coworkers” across the league. The unfortunate events of the COVID-19 pandemic have put a halt to a lot of things. Football is not one. To continue discussing the many UNKNOWNS do not give me the comfort. Risking my health as well as my family’s health does not seem like a risk worth taking. With my first child due in 3 weeks, I can’t help but think about how will I be able to go to work and take proper precautions around 80+ people everyday to then go home to be with my newborn daughter. How can a sport that requires physical contact on every snap and transferral of all types of bodily fluid EVERY SINGLE PLAY practice safe social distancing? How can I make sure that I don’t bring COVID-19 back to my household? Yes, we can get tested everyday, but if it takes 24 hours to get my results, how can I know each day that I am not spreading this virus or contracting it? The reoccurring issue here is how? There are too many “hows” that have yet to be answered to ease player concerns and ensure the safety of not only myself, but also my family. I just can’t imagine how the game will be the same during these unprecedented times. Now to hear that 35% of my paycheck may be withheld while we are out sacrificing our health and wellness for the joy and entertainment of everyone else who will be safe at home in front of their TVs? Something isn’t right here. That should at LEAST warrant a pay raise due to the risk, not a cut. I am not a lab rat or guinea pig to test theories on. I am a man, a son, brother, soon to be father, and I deserve to be safe at work.

A post shared by Donovan Smith (@dsmith_76) on

More From Bucs Nation