Cam Newton is among the NFL players to test positive for COVID-19 recently. The Patriots released a statement Saturday, Oct. 3, announcing the positive test results of one of its players.
“Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine,” the statement said. “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.”
That “player” turned out to be Newton.
The NFL followed with a statement that said there were “positive COVID-19 tests on both teams,” adding it would keep fans updated on the status of the game pending further test results.
“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,” the league said in a statement. “All decisions will be made with the health and safety of players, team and game day personnel as our primary consideration.”
After learning there were “no new positives” among players and personnel on Sunday, Oct. 4, the Patriots’ game against reigning the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, was rescheduled for Monday, Oct. 5, at 7:05 p.m.
Newton has been performing well this season, throwing for 714 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for four TDs. He dedicated his first victory with the Patriots, who were 2-1 through three games, to late actor Chadwick Boseman.
The former Carolina Panthers star, who is in his first season leading the Patriots, is just the biggest name among multiple players across several teams to have contracted the novel coronavirus recently. The Week 4 Steelers-Titans game was postponed indefinitely after 16 people from the Titans — eight players, eight staff members — tested positive last week. An Atlanta Falcons player and a Chiefs practice squad player also are on the league’s Reserve/COVID-19 list.
After Newton was placed on the league’s Reserve/COVID-19 list, the Patriots reported his backup Brian Hoyer would likely take his place in Monday’s game.1
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said the New England organization is doing all the can to keep the team safe daily.
“We monitor everything every day. We don’t just do it when there’s a problem or something comes up somewhere else. We do it on a daily basis and make everyone aware — because this is everybody. It’s not just players; it’s players and coaches and staff and everybody else,” Belichick said. “If we can do something better, then we talk to them about how we can do it better. So we try to monitor it the best we can, and we, I think, are pretty vigilant with all of us.”
Newton broke his silence about the matter in an Instagram post Sunday, Oct. 4. He said he doesn’t question God and thanked fans for their love and support.
“I will never question God’s reasoning; just will always respond with, ‘YES LORD’!! I appreciate all the love, support, and well wishes!! I will take this time to get healthy and self reflect on the other AMAZING THINGS THAT I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR!! #ShineTHRUtheSHADE #notFORlikesJUSTforLIFE -LOVE,” Newton wrote.
