2 nagpositibo sa COVID-19 sa NFL; 3 pa naidagdag na kaso sa Titans

ni Gerard Arce - @Sports | October 6, 2020

Isang laro na naman ang ipinagpapaliban sa National Football League (NFL) dahil sa coronavirus disease (Covid-19) matapos na magkasunod na magpositibo sina New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton at Kansas City Chiefs reserve Jordan Ta’amu bago ang nakatakda nilang laban nitong nakalipas na Linggo.

Ipinag-utos ng pamunuan ng NFL na ipasara ang pasilidad ng reigning Super Bowl champs na Chiefs (3-0) kasunod ng kambal na positive tests, ayon sa NFL Network, kung saan binago rin ng 6-time Super Bowl titlist na Patriots (2-1) ang plano nitong bumiyahe patungong Kansas City. “In consultation with infectious disease experts, both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA to evaluate multiple close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments,” pahayag ng liga sa isang statement. “All decisions will be made with the health and safety of players, team and gameday personnel as our primary consideration.”

Ang laban sa pagitan ng Chiefs at Patriots ay ang ikalawang laro na kinansela ng pamunuan ng NFL nitong weekend kasunod ng pag-uurong din ng laban ng Tennessee Titans at Pittsburg Steelers sa Oktubre 25 dahil sa Covid-19 outbreak.

Ang 31-anyos mula Atlanta, Georgia na si Newton ang humalili sa iniwang puwesto ni 6-time champ at 3-time NFL MVP na si Tom Brady sa quarterback position. Siya ang No. 1 draft pick ng Carolina Panthers noong 2011 NFL draft kung saan nagwagi siya ng MVP award noong 2015 ng dalhin nito ang kanyang koponan sa Super Bowl 50 kalaban ang Denver Broncos na pinagwagian ng huli, 10-24.

Inilagay naman sa Covid-19 practice squad ang 22-anyos na reserve quarterback na si Ta’amu mula sa Pearl City, Hawaii na undrafted athlete noong 2019 NFL draft. Panandalian itong napabilang sa koponan ng Houston Texans at St. Louis Battle Hawks.“Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine. Several additional players, coaches and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point of care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19,” saad ng Patriots sa isang statement, kung saan inilagay sa Covid-19 reserve lists si Newton.