As NFL training camps begin around the nation, there are many who are still uncomfortable with the idea of starting up the season amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Cincinnati Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. expressed his concern in a Wall Street Journal interview saying, “Obviously with everything that’s going on, it doesn’t make sense why we’re trying to do this.”
So far the NFL hasn’t shared a lot about the steps they will be taking to ensure the safety of the players and staff. With the start of what would be Beckham’s second season with the Browns, he is not confident that a return to playing right now is safe.
He went on to say, “We’re not ready for football season. So why are we trying to push forward? It’s obviously for their money. And that bothers me because there’s always been this—and I hate saying it like that—but the owners’ [attitude is], ‘Oh, we own you guys,’ and just kind of that unfairness going on that they don’t see us as human. I just feel like the season shouldn’t happen and I’m prepared for it to not happen and I wouldn’t mind not having it.”
He showed up to the Browns’ training camp on Monday and hasn’t opted out of the season.