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Following claims from receiver Warren Thompson that Florida State Seminoles football was being negligent in its coronavirus protocol, and follow-ups from players and some parents, Mike Norvell addressed the media on Thursday on Zoom.
Norvell said he had been notified of the tweets as soon as he left practice and was unable to speak to the specifics of it, but expressed disappointment that the message was posted, saying that FSU has been diligent in its safety protocols.
Here are some of the comments he made:
“It’s disappointing to see what was said. We’ve been very open and transparent throughout this process.”
“We have had a voluntary process with all of our players.”
“I spoke with Warren last night. We had a one-on-one conversation. I’m sure we will have a follow up here soon.”
“Players have the right to post what they want to post. I support all players and the platform they have.”
#FSU HC Mike Norvell on protocols: “We’ve been very open and transparent throughout this process. We’ve had a voluntary camp, voluntary summer process.”
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) August 13, 2020
“We have followed them as we’ve laid out.”
Includes disclosure of positive tests and contact tracing
Norvell says that the staff offers the opportunity for parents to participate in Zoom discussions with the staff and medical personnel #FSU
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) August 13, 2020
Norvell says university policy is to not say specific number of positive cases #FSU
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) August 13, 2020
#FSU HC Norvell says players are being tested weekly moving forward, have been tested four total times
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) August 13, 2020
On Tuesday, athletic director David Coburn laid out FSU’s protocols:
“When they come in the morning, they’re temperature and symptom check, they have to answer a set of questions and then they’re banded,” Coburn said on Tuesday. “And they’re kept segregated from the rest of the athletic department staff. They’re socially distanced in their meetings. They’re required to wear masks throughout the building and on the way to and from practice. That we’re testing weekly now and we will probably go to biweekly testing during the season. Anyone who gets a positive test result, we do hard work on them. And we’ve been doing that. We’re going to continue to do that. So we’re very comfortable that we’ve done what the medical folks… actually, above and beyond what the medical folks have advised.”
Senior defensive back Jaiden Lars-Woodbey and some other players have taken to Twitter to voice their support for the Florida State athletic training staff and the protocols that are in place.
You guys can come here and check for yourself.. the FSU Athletic training staff has been doing everything in their power to keep us SAFE! They respected those who chose not to play this year for their safety. But what we can NOT do is let their efforts go unnoticed! Thank you
— ϟ THOR ϟ (@JaidenWoodbey) August 13, 2020
I feel safe coming to practice everyday because of the protocols FSU has in place !!!
— ASANTE SAMUEL Ⓜ️ (@godschild3_) August 13, 2020
Unwanted attention ♀️
— I.B (@isaiahbolden23) August 13, 2020