A couple of gamers spoke out on behalf of Florida States efforts. Beginning safety Jaiden Lars-Woodbey tweeted that “the FSU Athletic training staff has actually been doing everything in their power to keep us SAFE!”
Said defensive end Joshua Kaindoh: “I feel safe, and if I didnt, similar to everyone, I have the choice to be here or not be here.”
This is the second public reaction versus Norvell prior to he has even coached a video game for the school. In June, star defensive deal with Marvin Wilson threatened a player boycott and mentioned publicly that Norvell had actually misrepresented meetings between coaches and gamers after George Floyd was eliminated while in authorities custody.
Norvell met the team the next day to clear the air and stated the circumstance was mostly a misunderstanding, thanking Wilson for bringing the matter to light.
pic.twitter.com/FuFqPaXKRL— UNO.UNO (@Warrenj11__) August 13, 2020
The fragile balance of player safety and pushing forward with football might have hit a tipping point at Florida State, where 3 large receivers, consisting of star Tamorrion Terry, have actually openly spoken up about an absence of openness in coronavirus screening at the school.
On Wednesday night, D.J. Matthews tweeted that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but the tweet was quickly deleted. He followed Thursday morning with a second tweet recommending lies within the program.
Terry retweeted Matthews and used his own vague concerns, composing, “I cant believe this.”
Warren Thompson provided some clearness in an open letter to Florida State, stating he had actually been lied to about testing and health protocols on several events.
” Our management is based off an I mentality with them only stressed about their own future rather than their own athletes,” Thompson composed. “I have been mocked about speaking out regarding this issue, and it requires to be addressed for myself to securely continue the season.”
The players tweets came while the remainder of the group was practicing Thursday early morning.
After practice, coach Mike Norvell criticized the public commentary, consistently calling it “frustrating” and stating that, while he had not check out the language specifically, he had actually been told some material was untrue. Norvell said he did not learn of the tweets until he left practice.
” Were working through the policies and treatments that are in place for us,” Norvell stated, “however Ive been very transparent with every gamer Ive talked with.”
Florida State has declined to launch testing numbers given that gamers returned to school in June. While many larger schools, including Clemson, Michigan and Oklahoma, have actually provided aggregate screening numbers, FSU has not announced any information.
Thompsons words were echoed by Terrys mother, Cindy Rewis, who tweeted, “We need responses and we desire the truth.”
Rewis specifically required Norvell to deal with concerns raised by players and moms and dads. She said that weekly testing has not taken location which gamers who have actually checked positive have been informed to remain quiet.
Norvell said he consulted with Thompson, Terry and Matthews on Wednesday night, including about coronavirus screening and contact tracing procedures. Norvell stated he did not ask Matthews to erase his initial tweet and stated players are totally free to publish anything they want on social networks.
” Theres a transition any time theres a brand-new staff at a program,” Norvell said Thursday. “The concern back in May with Marvin, I was able to come out and understand where my error was made.
” Players have a right to post whatever they wish to publish. Everybody has a platform they can use. I support our players and their voice. … The integrity of how we run, I wait it every day.”
Wilson tweeted Thursday that he felt “safe with what @FSUFootball is doing for us through this pandemic.”
Norvell said he was not aware whether Terry, Thompson or Matthews would pull out after Thursdays social networks posts, saying repeatedly that all gamers are free to do so if they have health concerns.
” This is completely voluntary,” Norvell said. “We have a bunch of guys on this team that have worked extremely difficult for the chance [to play]”.
” Theres a transition any time theres a brand-new staff at a program,” Norvell said Thursday. “The issue back in May with Marvin, I was able to come out and understand where my mistake was made.” Players have a right to publish whatever they desire to publish. I support our players and their voice.” This is totally voluntary,” Norvell said.
