By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Published on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 4:58 pm EST
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the first known individual, who has connections to the NFL to test positive for this infectious disease.
Payton told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he came forward with his positive test, because “he wants all people to heed the warnings of government officials, stay inside, and behave responsibility.”
“If people understand the curve and understand the bump, we can easily work together as a country to reduce it,” Payton said to ESPN. “Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying. Just that type of small investment by every one of us will have a dramatic impact.”
It’s not clear how Payton may have contracted the disease at this time. However, it has now hit all four major sports.
There is a debate on who is actually the first to come down with it in the NFL. While Payton told Schefter that he has it – and it’s being reported as such – Las Vegas Raiders player Quentin Poling went on social media several days ago and said he spoke with a doctor, who claimed he has it, along with his wife and young daughter.
Yet, he said while he’s in Ohio, it did not appear he has been tested for it.
Major League Baseball has had several cases of it, especially with two minot leaguers in the New York Yankees system. Also, a member of the Cincinnati Reds front office has also tested positive for it.
In addition, the National Hockey League has it, as an unidentified player for the Ottawa Senators have tested positive for it. It’s been all over the NBA, as seven players have it so far.
Four members, including Kevin Durant, has it with the Brooklyn Nets. Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have it. In addition, Detroit Pistons player Christian Wood also has it.
The Denver Nuggets also announced on Thursday that a member of their staff also has it.
When Gobert’s positive test came down, the NBA suspended its operations for the time being. The rest of the world followed suit.
