In response to plans to enact heavy restrictions at the NFL Scouting Combine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 150 draft prospects are planning to announce a boycott of the annual pre-draft event, NFL Network and Pro Football Talk reported Sunday night.
Pro Football Talk pinned the number at 155 players, represented by 13 agencies. The league invited 324 prospects to participate.
The boycott would extend to all testing, on-field workouts and interviews with teams.
In a memo sent to prospects Saturday, the NFL outlined its intent to restrict them only to combine venues “during their entire time in Indianapolis for their protection.” Among the other restrictions: being limited to bringing one medical support person, such as a trainer, for the duration of their time in Indianapolis.
If a player violates the NFL’s rules, he runs the risk of being sent home from the combine.
The NFL Players Association wrote a letter to agents involved in boycott organization efforts in support of the move.
“The combination of the NFL’s proposed ‘bubble’ and fact that we still have an antiquated system of every team doctor examining players and having them perform yet again needs serious modification or elimination,” the letter said in part. “While we do not represent these players, we have advocated for their rights to fair treatment.”
The combine is scheduled to run March 1-7.
–Field Level Media