The Raiders ere trying to send their players a message. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders assistant told players Jon Gruden had coronavirus as motivational tool?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/5/20

NFL teams truly are looking for any possible advantage during training camps held amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo relayed a story of how Las Vegas Raiders special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Rich Bisaccia recently told players over a Zoom call that head coach Jon Gruden was battling COVID-19 and at a hospital.

Bisaccia quickly informed players that, fortunately, wasn't the case:

One more on the #Raiders from Inside Training Camp on @nflnetwork: Jon Gruden's attempt to "crush" COVID-19 included assistant Rich Bisaccia tricking the players into thinking Gruden had coronavirus. But it wasn't a mean-spirited prank. There was a serious message behind it. pic.twitter.com/I832Zy5g2a
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2020

Garafolo explained that this wasn't a prank or a joke, but, rather, was meant to remind the players that anybody could become infected at any time. Everyone associated with the franchise should be ready to fill in, where needed, and continue doing whatever possible to protect themselves from the virus.

Somewhat eerily, this unique teaching moment occurred days before the Philadelphia Eagles announced head coach Doug Pederson tested positive for the coronavirus.

Garafolo added that the Las Vegas players "really took it to heart," so it appears Bisaccia and Gruden deserve credit for the tactic.

Watch out, though, if you ever encounter either man delivering a work-related motivational speech.

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