GREEN BAY – During these unprecedented times, Packers players, coaches and alumni are doing their part to stay home, stay strong and help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Over the past week, Head Coach Matt LaFleur, receiver Davante Adams, left tackle David Bakhtiari, linebacker Oren Burks and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre have all posted videos on social media encouraging fans to stay home and stay strong.
While the United States and the rest of the world look to get a grasp on containing the virus, current Packers are finding interesting ways to train – and stay entertained – in midst of the global pandemic.
Burks, who lives in Nashville, is one of several players who posted home workout videos this past week. In addition to weight-lifting on a back porch, Burks built a Lego race-car to help pass time.
"It's crazy with the coronavirus going around but I just want to encourage everybody to do your part," said Burks in a video Thursday evening. "Stay home, wash your hands and do everything the doctors and specialists are encouraging us to do, so we can stop this thing. … We're thinking of creative things to do: playing with Legos, ukuleles, doing our part to stay at home to practice safe distance and hygiene. Go Pack Go."
Center Corey Linsley, his wife Anna and their son Seamus wished fans well on Friday morning and reminded everyone "to try as best as you can to adhere to the guidelines put out there by the CDC and not the guidelines your third cousin put out there on Facebook.
"Stay home, stay safe. We're all in this together and we're all making a difference and saving lives. Go Pack Go."
New inside linebacker Christian Kirksey posted his own video on Wednesday, documenting the changes he's made to his offseason training. That includes doing push-ups and sit-ups at home, and running laps in his parking garage.
Kirksey encouraged fans to connect with their family and friends on FaceTime, and also reflect on what they want in the future.
"Be creative," Kirksey said. "Football is really important to me but my health is very important, as well. I want to make sure my family is OK and my family is safe, so that's why practicing social distancing. That's why washing your hands and taking care of your body is important. Just want to keep the world in good hands and keep the sickness from spreading."
First-round pick Rashan Gary has been active on his social accounts, first responding to a push-up challenge on his social-media accounts and later encouraging young kids to do their part to contain this virus and the Packers can get back on the field to "get this Super Bowl ring."
"To do that, we need you to do us a big favor so we can get these doors to Lambeau back open for me and to you," Gary said. "No. 1, listen to your parents' instructions to keep your family and you safe. No. 2, be sure to wash the front and the inside of your hands for at least 20 seconds at a time. If you do that, we'll all win and get back to football."
Although the start of the offseason program has been delayed, many Packers players continue to train at home. Safety Will Redmond posted a workout video on his Instagram story Wednesday with a "Stay Home" sticker, while cornerback Chandon Sullivan lifted and worked out in a driveway.
Running back Jamaal Williams took a break from his training on Tuesday to tell fans to "stay calm, cool and collected (and) stay with your family members."
Backup quarterback Manny Wilkins, who produces music on the side, has posted some of his recent work on Instagram, while cornerback Jaire Alexander used the social-media platform to provide a glimpse into his yoga routine (with a #Namaste hashtag).
Davante Adams has been training and keeping busy with his 6-month-old daughter, Daija Leigh. He did an impromptu Twitter Q&A with fans last week and chimed in this week on Stefon Diggs' poll of the best five wideouts to ever play the game.
Adams went with Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones, warning commenters not to @ him in his replies. Diggs still did, mentioning how Terrell Owens also should be on that list.
Packers safety Adrian Amos came up with several of his own all-time lists, including his top three safeties (Ed Reed, Sean Taylor and Troy Polamalu) and top two cornerbacks (Deion Sanders, Champ Bailey). In his rankings of quarterbacks, Amos made sure to pay homage to two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
When he isn't training, the sixth-year safety has been having a good time with his son.
In a post featuring defensive lineman Kenny Clark, the Packers announced Friday that fans may be eligible to win prizes, including a Clark autograph, for tweeting photos and videos of themselves staying active at home to the Packers' Twitter account with the hashtag #StayHomeStaySafe.
