Saints’ HC Sean Payton tested positive for the coronavirus, he told ESPN on Thursday. Payton is the first person in the NFL world known to test positive for the virus.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020
Sean Payton said he came forward with his coronavirus diagnosis because he wants all people to heed the warnings of government officials, stay inside, and behave responsibly. More ahead on ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton tested positive for the coronavirus. The coronavirus is spreading nationally, but this is the first case to affect the NFL world.
Schefter added that Payton made his diagnosis public to raise awareness of just how serious this infection is becoming, emphasizing that people should follow the advice and warnings of their government officials to avoid further contamination.
Payton spoke with ESPN, saying, “This is not just about social distancing. It’s shutting down here for a week to two weeks. If people understand the curve, and understand the bump, we can easily work together as a country to reduce it. Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying.”
Payton also recently discussed the possible impact of the coronavirus on an eventful NFL offseason, expecting drastic changes both for free agency and next month’s NFL draft. While the rollout of the new league year has gone largely unimpeded, the NFL has already begun planning out how to best approach the draft in late April.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Payton is handling the situation in good spirits, and has about five more days of quarantine ahead of him. He attended an Oaklawn Park horse race on March 13 and, according to Rapoport, felt like he was coming down with a cold. and was tested the next day. Here’s hoping for a full and speedy recovery for Payton.