9 Oklahoma football players test positive for COVID after return to campus
After returning to campus after a one-week reprieve from training camp, nine Oklahoma football players have tested for the coronavirus.
Oklahoma football has been one of the programs that has had the best success at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus and limiting the number of players, coaches and staff that have tested positive for COVID-19. However, after returning to campus after a one-week break from camp after the restructured Big 12 schedule, nine players have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to The Athletic’s Jason Kersey.
OU brought football players back and tested them for COVID. Nine #Sooners tested positive.
— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) August 15, 2020
Nine Oklahoma football players test positive for the coronavirus after returning from a one-week break from training camp after the Big 12 pushed their season opener back
The decision from head coach Lincoln Riley to allow his players to return home after the Big 12 revised their schedule pushed back the Sooners’ first game is one he’s regretting right now. This isn’t the NBA where there is a bubble and he’s confident in their plan of mitigating the spread of the virus.
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1294715884263608322
Riley: This isn't the NBA ... we don't have a bubble. We all have to continue to work to do a better job by all accounts. We're still confident in the plan that we have. We reference the (month-long) success that we've had. #Sooners
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) August 15, 2020
Riley says 75 percent of the Oklahoma football roster stayed in Norman despite the clearance to go home but after two weeks of zero positive tests, nine players tested positive in conjunction with the rest of the student body moving into campus this week.
However, it is unfortunate that there was an outbreak among the team after the players returned to their homes. It’s unknown which nine players tested positive and it’s unlikely those names will be revealed unless they come forward with their diagnosis. It’s unclear what sort of precautions or guidelines Riley and Oklahoma placed on the players to ensure they were taking the necessary steps to try and avoid contracting the coronavirus.
It wouldn’t be wise to speculate about the players going out to parties, bars or mingling about town in their communities. Even when you take all the necessary steps to guard against contracting the virus, it is a highly contagious virus.
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