Issues statement on the MRSA situation in Tampa Bay
The Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith issued a statement today in regards to its investigation into the finding of MRSA at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers facility and some players that contracted MRSA.
MRSA has ended the season for Bucs kicker Lawrence Tynes and has returned to the foot of previously infected guard Carl Nicks.
Smith statement follows the announcement by the Bucs General Manager Mark Dominik confirming that a third player has been diagnosed with a case of MRSA.
“We have been involved in an ongoing review of the MRSA incidents in Tampa Bay initiated by the concerns we had about the manner in which team officials responded to these cases.
We advised the NFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that an outside expert should be brought in to assess the situation and we are pleased with their decision to take that recommendation. We have also been in regular contact with the player representatives from Tampa Bay.
This underscores the need for a League-wide, comprehensive and standardized infectious disease protocol. It also calls for improved accountability measures on health and safety issues by the NFL over the clubs.” DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Executive Director
Dominik said that as part of the team’s plan of action, the Buccaneers organization has been working with the world-renowned Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (“DICON”) since September to educate the organization and implement effective infection control policies.
“Having worked closely with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I believe they are following the best practices and recommendations to reduce the transmission of MRSA,” said Dr. Deverick J. Anderson, Co-Director of DICON.
Smith also said, “We will reach out to the Philadelphia Eagles player representatives today and provide them with our best medical guidance and regular updates from the outside experts.” The Eagles are schedule to fly to Tampa Bay on Saturday.
The NFLPA has filed a grievance on his behalf of Tynes against the Buccaneers, seeking to get him placed on injured reserve. The designation would allow Tynes, who is being paid his salary, to accrue another season toward retirement benefits. Currently, Tynes is on the nonfootball injury list.
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