UPDATE: Thompson apologizes, wants to 'move forward' with 'Noles

Florida State wide receiver Warren Thompson, who caused a firestorm on Thursday by saying he didn't feel safe with the Seminoles' coronavirus testing protocols, apologized for the situation on Sunday and said he wants to "move forward" with the football team.

Thompson posted on Twitter that his earlier comments "did not accurately depict" his feelings toward the program and it leaders.

"I am hopeful for that this will be a great season of Seminole football," Thompson wrote. "I am also confident in Coach Norvell and the future ahead of us."

Thompson has not practiced since the Thursday incident.

Here was his latest post on Twitter:

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After finishing his sixth preseason practice as Florida State's head football coach Thursday morning, Mike Norvell learned for the first time that three of his team's wide receivers had taken to social to media to criticize the program's COVID-19 testing procedures.

While FSU was practicing, wide receiver Warren Thompson posted on Twitter and Instagram that he felt leaders at the university were, "worried about their own future rather than their own athletes."

Thompson went on to say that when he has complained about his concerns about the coronavirus testing, he has been "ridiculed," although he did not name any names.

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Thompson's post was shared on social media by fellow receivers Tamorrion Terry and D.J. Matthews, and each also made vague comments about their displeasure.

Norvell spoke with the media around 11 a.m., as part of his regularly scheduled post-practice press conference, and said he was "disappointed" by the players' comment. He said he has been "transparent" with the team throughout the entire offseason and camp. And he said the team is following all of its stated protocols.

"I was just made aware of messages from players that were not here today for practice ... disappointing to see what was said," Norvell said. "We've been very open and transparent throughout this process."

Norvell reiterated several times that players have the right to "opt out" of practices and the 2020 season whenever they see fit. They will remain on scholarship and can return in the future. Two FSU defensive linemen -- Jamarcus Chatman and Dennis Briggs Jr. -- have already chosen to sit out this season.

Norvell also emphasized that all of the players' summer workouts were "voluntary."

One contention of the players seems to be related to comments FSU administrators made during their press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. During that event, athletics director David Coburn said the players were being tested weekly.

When asked Thursday how often the players have been tested, Norvell said they were tested three or four times during the summer (his answer wasn't entirely clear) and once before preseason camp started. He said the team is being tested again this week and will be tested each week going forward.

When players raised concerns about Coburn's comment on Tuesday, Norvell said he addressed them during an "open" discussion later that day.

"We had a good back and forth the other night in our team meeting and urged guys to make proper decisions when they're away from our facility and follow the protocols when they're here," he said.

*ALSO SEE: More updates from Thursday's post-practice interviews

Matthews posted on Twitter late Wednesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus but later deleted the tweet. Norvell said he did talk with Matthews that night, but only to check on his welfare. He said he did not instruct the receiver to remove the post.

"I'm not sure why D.J. took it down," Norvell said, adding that the players are free to say what they want on social media. He said the only rule in place about releasing health information is that players are told not to share other players' ailments.

Shortly after practice ended, several other FSU players took to social media to defend the school's handling of the coronavirus.

Norvell was asked by a reporter if he would classify the comments made by Thompson and the other receivers as untrue.

The first-year head coach said he hadn't seen the posts yet; he had only heard what was included.

"I will say there are some aspects of what I have heard that are untrue," he said. "And at the end of the day, I stand by the transparency of what we've had. This is who we are. It was disappointing to hear that, once again, there is some disconnect."

Defensive back Jaiden Lars-Woodbey and defensive end Joshua Kaindoh spoke with the media after Norvell, and both said they were confident in the testing protocols.

"I can only speak for myself, Joshua Kaindoh, personally I feel safe," the defensive end said. "And honestly if I didn't ... I wouldn't be here. I speak for myself. I'm just going to keep preparing ... hopefully the season happens."

Said Lars-Woodbey: "I honestly feel that the FSU coaching staff and training staff are both doing everything in their power to make sure we're safe and do the things necessary to make sure we play football this year. ... I think they have done a phenomenal job to make sure everyone is following protocol.

"I have a lot of trust in them. And I'm just thankful they're here."

The situation comes about two months after senior defensive tackle Marvin Wilson criticized Norvell on social media for not being truthful in comments about conversations he had with players concerning racial injustice and the protests sweeping the country.

Norvell implied to a reporter that he communicated with each player individually, but he later clarified that he had sent one message to the entire group and then had some separate conversations. Norvell apologized to the team within hours of that situation, but he said he doesn't believe he or his staff have done anything wrong in this instance.

"Any time there is a new staff, there is a transitional experience we all have to work through," Norvell said. "The issue back in (early June) with Marvin, I was able to come out and understand where my mistake was made. ... I owned that decision. We came together as a team. ...

"The issue we're having today is a separate issue. I feel very confident how we operate each and every day."

Norvell went on to say that he and his staff have caught wind of false rumors around the team about test results -- instances where players have been sick but tested negative for the coronavirus -- and he added that those rumors have been addressed every time.

While some universities have released testing data throughout the summer and preseason, Florida State has not, citing student privacy.

Norvell said that Thursday's practice was smaller than usual, but he would not say how many players participated or were held out. Numerous players are believed to be quarantining following Matthews' positive test.

Norvell said he has been pleased with how the majority of his team has handled practice and the testing protocols, and he added that he's confident the team can keep preparing well for a successful season.

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