Latest On Sport News: 'Wildly irresponsible' call threatens NFL, $720m star

The NFL is facing a backlash after a recent high-profile player's COVID-19 positive test exposed the extreme difficulty facing the league in continuing to play the 2020 season during the pandemic.

After a blockbuster clash against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week, news broke late last night (Australian time) that New England Patriots star and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore tested positive for the virus.

The cornerback not only played every defensive snap for the Patriots days earlier against the Chiefs, but he was also seen post-game at Arrowhead Stadium embracing and speaking in close proximity to Kansas City's $720 million quarterback and NFL MVP, Patrick Mahomes.

Gilmore and Mahomes embrace after the Chiefs' win over the Patriots in the NFL

Speaking to media today, Mahomes - who is undoubtedly the biggest name in the NFL right now and the face of the league - called his decision to speak with Gilmore after the Chiefs' 26-10 victory a "mental lapse" and "just sportsmanship."

"I think you just have to trust in the process and protocols that are set in place," Mahomes said.

"Obviously knowing that I went up to him after the game and gave him a high-five, like I have all my career and not thinking about it - it was a mental lapse, just sportsmanship. But I think the protocols are good, wearing my mask and staying safe."

Mahomes also recently announced that he and his fiancée Brittany Matthews are expecting their first child together.

The Chiefs-Patriots game itself was heavily criticised for going ahead at all after New England quarterback Cam Newton tested positive in the lead-up and had to sit out the contest, as well as Kansas City practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu.

But the NFL's decision to proceed with the Week 4 fixture regardless of those positive tests on both teams, has now been further slammed amid the Gilmore news.

Many NFL media and fans took to social media to vent their frustration at the COVID-19 management by the league.

Gilmore has since been added to the team's reserve/COVID-19 list with Newton and practice squad player Bill Murray.

The Patriots cancelled practices for the next two days after reports that an additional player on the team has also tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Patriots did not give a reason for the cancellations and didn't immediately respond when asked if it was in response to a third positive test.

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out since hearing about my positive COVID-19 test," Gilmore wrote on social media.

"Your messages aren't unseen and are greatly appreciated. I'm currently asymptomatic and will take this as it comes. I don't know what to expect, but my spirit is high because of God. I've followed every protocol, yet it happened to me. Please be sure to take this seriously.

"The 'Gilly Lock' is going to sit down until the medical professionals let me know it's best to continue normal activity. Your wishes and prayers mean the world to me and my family."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick's scheduled session with reporters was also pushed back until Thursday.

Newton tweeted a picture of himself Wednesday morning wearing a mask, along with the caption: "WEAR YOUR MASK. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE."

For now the Patriots are still scheduled to host the Denver Broncos on Sunday, although that fixture is now in doubt.

Patriots players had the day off Tuesday, meaning that Friday could be their only practice this week if the game proceeds as planned. Players and coaches will conduct meetings remotely Thursday.

Whether Newton or Gilmore could be available on Sunday depends on whether they were showing symptoms at the time of their positive tests.

According to the NFL's updated COVID testing protocols, players showing symptoms can't return until at least 10 days have passed since symptoms were first reported and at least 24 hours have passed since their last fever.

All other symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath, also must have improved.

If a player tests positive but is asymptomatic, he must either wait 10 days from the initial positive test, or can return after having two consecutive negative tests 24 hours apart.

On the same day as Gilmore's positive test it was discovered that the Tennessee Titans also had more cases.

The Titans will not be returning to their facility Wednesday after two more players tested positive. The Titans' outbreak now is up to 22 cases with 20 returned since September 29, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans announced the latest results.

The Titans already had their game with Pittsburgh rescheduled from Week 4 to October 25. The Titans need back-to-back days of negative test results to get back into their facility.

The NFL said there were 15 new confirmed positives among personnel for last week in results announced Wednesday out of 37,002 tests given to 7,981 players and team personnel.

The NFL showed "several specific incidents" of the Titans violating COVID-19 protocols during a call Monday with the league's general managers and coaches, a person with knowledge of the NFL's investigation said. Another person familiar with the call said photos from the Titans' cafeteria were shown.

"We have said all along that we expect positive cases," said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer. "As long as the virus is endemic in our communities, we will see new cases among our teams. Risk mitigation, not elimination, is the key."

Both Sills and Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFL Players Association's medical director, said the key is everyone following the protocols.

"The virus is still very much a threat not only to our season, but to the safety of everyone in our community," Mayer said in a statement.

The league is attempting to play a full schedule amid the pandemic without teams isolated in a bubble as other sports have done to protect players and staff from the virus. No games were affected through the first three weeks of the season.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned all 32 teams that any violations of COVID-19 protocols that force schedule changes could result in punishment including forfeiting games, fines or loss of draft picks.

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Cam Heyward said Wednesday it was "ludicrous" to think the NFL wouldn't have positive tests and warned there would be more. He said players and teams were under pressure to minimise outbreaks.

"Things are going to change every minute now," said Heyward, the Steelers' player representative. "And we've just got to be willing to adjust. I know the NFL and the NFLPA is trying to do right by the players and the coaches, but there's only so much they can do."

Asked about the chances of the NFL completing this season, Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said he thinks everyone is very interested in what happens the next few days.

"Everybody's confidence level is probably a little less than a few weeks ago," Fitzpatrick said. "Two weeks ago everybody was riding high. It's amazing to see what happened in Tennessee so quickly."

Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said no one's perfect when asked about the NFL's stricter protocols as his Bills (4-0) prepare for a game at Tennessee that may now be in jeopardy. McDermott said no one's perfect.

"We're fighting an uphill battle," McDermott said. "I think we know that there's a challenge because of how easily this thing spreads."

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Latest On Sport News

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

'Wildly irresponsible' call threatens NFL, $720m star

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