(Reuters) – New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman have decided to skip the upcoming NFL season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. media reported on Tuesday.
Six players on the six-time Super Bowl-winning Patriots have now decided to opt out of the season, ESPN reported https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29551606/source-patriots-donta-hightower-opt-2020-season, as the NFL opened training camps for all players on Tuesday.
The reports did not specify why Hightower and Chung had decided to skip the season, though Goldman cited concerns over COVID-19 in his decision, according to the NFL Network.
Hightower, whose fiancee gave birth earlier this month, told the NFL Network https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-linebacker-donta-hightower-to-opt-out-of-2020-season that he and his partner are “more concerned with the health of our family than football.”
A Chicago Bears spokesman said the team did not have any official statement to share. The Patriots did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an open letter to fans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday that COVID-19 remains a “major challenge” and that players can expect daily testing “for a while” as the league adopts enhanced safety precautions.
The Minnesota Vikings’ infection control officer tested positive for COVID-19, the team said Monday, as the Miami Dolphins have put three players on their “reserve/COVID-19” list.
New COVID-19 cases are spiking in states across the U.S., including Florida, where three NFL franchises play including the Dolphins, as well as Texas, Arizona and California.
In an ominous sign for leagues hoping to play outside of a so-called “bubble”, Major League Baseball scrambled to control a burgeoning crisis as 17 Miami Marlins players also tested positive, casting doubt on the MLB season.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Toby Davis)
