Union chief DeMaurice Smith and president J.C. Tretter held a conference call with media members on Friday, and Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth joined the call. Whitworth revealed that he recently tested positive for COVID-19, and his story is a troubling one (h/t Howard Balzer of SI.com).
Whitworth explained that a family member went to lunch with a friend. Several days later, that family member started to feel ill when she was traveling with Whitworth, his wife and children, and his wife’s parents. She subsequently tested positive, and Whitworth and every other person on that trip tested positive shortly thereafter.
Luckily, it appears as if everyone involved has recovered, but it does underscore how dangerous the virus is. And as Tretter pointed out during the call, there are still important unanswered questions concerning the spread of the virus. Although it may be possible to have socially distant huddles, offensive and defensive linemen have to be in contact with each other and players on the opposing line on every play, so if one of them tests positive, how will the league determine how many people to quarantine, and for how long?
For now, the league is forging ahead with its plans to start training camp on July 28, with rookies, QBs, and injured players reporting to their clubs this week. As of July 10, 72 players league-wide had tested positive for COVID-19, and that number will almost certainly increase when testing becomes mandatory. How the league responds to positive tests will be the most important factor in starting and completing the 2020 season.
Whitworth, 38, has contemplated retirement recently, but he signed a new three-year contract this offseason that will theoretically keep him with Los Angeles though his age-40 season. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 2017, his first year with the Rams, and though he is unlikely to reach those heights again, he remains a good LT and a key component of the club’s O-line.
And my second cousins boyfriends aunts lawn guy got tested for it.
I find that highly unlikely to be true.
And why is that?
You are trying to tell me that his whole family got it. I don’t buy it! These numbers are so convoluted!
If they weren’t wearing masks and being safe, then yeah. But of course, a typical response coming from you. Go figure.
If masks were so great and everyone wore them months ago we could’ve reopened. Masks do nothing
You know people weren’t all wearing masks months ago. Why are you choosing to lie and promote a virus?
You literally know you are lying and everyone else does as well but you’re such a pathetic piece of garbage that you are going to lie and get people sick on purpose.
You’re criminally insane at best and absolutely fit the definition of premeditated murderer.
Convoluted?
Maybe get into 3rd grade before trying to tell people that you don’t buy science or facts.
Ask your dad why it’s not a good idea to get on social media and scream about how stupid you are. Hopefully he’s not as helpless as you are.
I’m sure someone can design a facemask for helmets similar to the Justin Tuck shredder mask style and line the inside with a breathable fabric.
Players can be forced to wear helmet visors and wear gloves too.
Should your proposed enforcements occur on planes and buses as well?
In California it’s mandatory to wear masks in public and whenever you enter a place of business. Beaches, parks, walking down the street.
Ideally, if you’re trying to prevent spread, you’d have 2 or 3 buses and 2 planes so people can spread out.
If there’s going to be a season, makes sense to redo the master schedule so teams play regionally reducing the amount of travel necessary.
Yes, this virus is so incredibly dangerous … his entire family recovered.
And what if they hadn’t recovered? I get that most people will be okay, but that isn’t the point. It’s the people that won’t be okay that’s the problem. Are you okay with football being played even if one or multiple people affiliated with an organization die because of this?
I find it hard to believe that we will have a season…..
I don’t get the moral here.
Is it that going to a restaurant with someone is like a huddle?
That being in quarantine is the same as having lunch with someone who isn’t?
That the virus is contagious?
I think the whole point of why football isn’t impossible is because people aren’t safe at home either and having a football season with a high level of isolation isn’t much different from a risk perspective than the lifestyle most of the players live at home.
It doesn’t compare with a player who really does isolate but if you’re going out to lunch with friends lets not pretend you’re staying home in a safe quarantine.