NFL players union requests information on federal raid on team trainer

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has requested information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after it raided the home and office of the Washington Football Team’s head athletic trainer, ESPN reported. 

In a statement on Wednesday, the union cited health and safety concerns for its players as a reason for its request. 

“We believe this situation directly impacts player health and safety,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “The NFLPA insisted on language in our collective bargaining agreement that obligates clubs to adhere to all state and federal laws and regulations. We look forward to learning more so we can protect our players.”

A statement on the DEA investigation into WFT senior medical staff member: pic.twitter.com/gBNxBnqVaX

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) October 6, 2021

Washington placed head trainer Ryan Vermillion on administrative leave after federal authorities searched both his both and his office at the team’s training facility, according to ESPN.

Vermillion, a graduate of the University of Miami, joined Washington last season as the club’s new head trainer. He previously spent 18 seasons as the head athletic trainer for the Carolina Panthers, working with Wahington’s head coach Ron Rivera for nine of those seasons. 

Washington Safety Landon Collins, the team’s NFLPA representative, told ESPN he and his teammates were unaware of Vermillion’s situation. 

“We didn’t know anything going on as a team,” Collins said. “Other than that, I can’t speak on it because I don’t know what has happened. I read it [the statement], I saw it, I’m cool with it.”

Federal authorities also talked to former players about the current investigation, with one saying that he didn’t have any useful information to share with the agency, ESPN noted.