Florida State coach Mike Norvell vehemently denied accusations by a current player who posted on social media the officials are lying about how the coaching staff is handling safety protocols during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Disappointed to see or to hear about the message put out there, but we've been very transparent throughout this process," Norvell said of social media posts from receiver Warren Thompson, who criticized the program.
Thompson, a redshirt sophomore from Armwood High, posted he had been lied to "several times" by the coaching staff regarding COVID-19 test results.
"It has been shown to myself and the rest, that our leadership is based off an 'I' mentality with them only worried about their own future rather than their own athletes," Thompson posted on Twitter Thursday. "I have been ridiculed about speaking up regarding this issue and it needs to be addressed for myself to safely continue the season.
"The lies from our leaders have backed myself into a corner putting my overall well-being in jeopardy."
Thompson's message comes a day after teammate DJ Matthews posted a statement, which has since been deleted, that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Matthews' tweet was first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat and Noles247.com.
When asked what Thompson's tweet referenced, Norvell said he did not know.
Norvell said he spoke with Thompson and Matthews Wednesday evening, but he declined to share what transpired during that conversation. except to say that he checked on their health status.
"We talk about understanding and respecting people's privacy and what they're willing to post," Norvell said about players taking to social media to express themselves. "Every player has the opportunity to post anything about their own individual situation."
Norvell said he didn't ask Matthews to take down his post and isn't sure why the senior deleted it.
Florida State officials have declined to reveal the number of players who have tested positive for coronavirus, citing privacy laws.
The Seminoles had team meeting two days ago, during which Norvell addressed concerns about the program's safety protocols and updated the group about player testing.
"I've been very transparent with every player that I've talked to and with our entire team," Norvell said of the discussion. "We've had a good back and forth.
"We continue to urge guys to make proper decisions when they're away from the facility and follow proper protocols when they're in the facility."
Norvell did admit there have been several FSU players who have been ill during camp but received negative test results for coronavirus. The first-year-coach said the team has been tested four times in the past month, including right before the players left for Fourth of July weekend and a week before fall camp opened on Aug. 7 and they'll be tested again sometime this week.
He said the team will then be tested on a weekly basis throughout camp.
The player social media posts came two days after Florida State hosted a roundtable with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and FSU president John Thrasher along with Norvell and several players. Their message was they wanted to play the upcoming football season this fall and the school had gone above and beyond following safety protocol.
The Big Ten and Pac-12 announced Tuesday they are postponing fall football games and will try to play in the spring. The ACC, SEC and Big 12, however, are moving forward with plans to play football this fall.
"It is challenging. It's challenging for our country, it's challenging for everybody involved but it takes great sacrifice to be able to do that," Norvell said. "The protocols are there for a reason and once again this is completely voluntary. We respect everybody's decision whether they want to be here or whether they do not want to be here. We've got a bunch of guys who have worked extremely hard for this opportunity."
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jaiden Lars-Woodbey offered his thoughts on FSU safety protocol during an interview with reporters Thursday.
"I honestly feel the FSU coaching staff and training staff have both been doing everything in their power to make sure we're safe and making sure we're doing the things necessary in order to play football this year," Lars-Woodbey said. " ... I have a lot of trust in them."
This is the second time since his arrival in December that Norvell has been called out by a player on social media.
All-American defensive tackle Marvin Wilson spoke out in June after he felt Norvell misstated conversations between the coach and players about race in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in police custody.
Norvell apologized the same day for his miscommunication, praising Wilson for speaking up.
"It's a work in progress," Norvell said Thursday when asked why players keep raising concerns on social media. "There is a transition any time there is a new staff or a new leader into a program. There is a transitional experience that we all have to work through. The issue back in May with Marvin, I was able to come out and understand where my mistake was made. I incorrectly used the word every in a statement during an interview and I own that. We came together as a team.
"The issue we're having today is a separate issue."
