Quarterback Patrick Mahomes admitted some trepidation on Friday night when he returned to the Kansas City Chiefs’ training facility for the first time in months amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“There will definitely be a bit of worry,” Mahomes said on Saturday. “You would lie to say you didn’t have any concerns.”
Mahomes said his fears were mostly allayed during a tour of the training facility and Arrowhead Stadium, both of which will host portions of the training camp – the stadium for meetings and locker rooms, training and conditioning facilities.
Mahomes said he was comfortable everything had been reasonably done to protect him and the other Chiefs players, citing requirements to wear a mask and socially distance the plexiglass partitions between lockers,
“It’s better than I expected to come,” Mahomes said. “It reassures me knowing that I’m going to be put in the best possible position given this time around.
“You can just see the NFL and NFLPA are really taking this seriously. [with] social distancing, wearing a mask. “
Coach Andy Reid also said he’s comfortable with the work environment
“People have gone to great ends to [protect players and coaches]”Said Reid.” We are as safe as you can be here.
“Dedication and discipline when you leave this facility will be important. When you are here it is a safe environment. You have to continue this once you leave here.
Chef recruits and some veterans, such as quarterbacks, were tested twice for COVID-19 and allowed to enter the facility if both tests were negative. Other veterans were due to be tested twice over four days starting Saturday and will be allowed into the facility once test results are confirmed.
Mahomes also said recent talks from two of his teammates, defensive lineman Chris Jones and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, about the Chiefs winning multiple Super Bowl championships would be motivating. The Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years in February, beating the San Francisco 49ers.
“You like guys who have goals,” Mahomes said. “They want to be in Kansas City for a long time. They want to win championships. They don’t want to be average. They want to be great every year.
“They know they’re going to have to go there every day and prove it.”
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