Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn tells his players he tested positive for COVID-19

At the beginning of the 2020 season of “Hard Knocks,” Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told his players he tested positive for COVID-19.

Episode 1 of the 2020 version of “Hard Knocks,” the landmark NFL Films show on HBO, starts with an interactive meeting between Lynn and his players in which Lynn tries to answer questions about everything from how often players are tested for the coronavirus, to the logistics of travel, to how they’re supposed to see their families and keep everyone healthy.

“Be patient, man. Be patient,” Lynn responded. “This year is not like any year we’ve ever had in the National Football League. This is going to be chaos. This is going to be change. It’s going to come at us every single day. The goals and objectives will not change. I can’t promise you you’re not going to get infected. I got infected.”

And with that, the rooms came to a halt.

“I’ve talked to people who say they’re sick of this virus,” Lynn continued. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Let me tell you something — you ain’t promised next year. You ain’t promised tomorrow. What I want to do is, I want to limit your exposure. Then, when the whistle blows, let’s go kick somebody’s ass, and let’s play football.”

Lynn exhorted his players to embrace the chaos, and concluded with the message that the team which handles the particulars of this is the best-equipped to take the Lombardi Trophy home at the end of the season.

Compelling stuff… if there is indeed a Super Bowl.

Lynn appeared fine in the show, and on his Tuesday morning hit on the NFL Network, so hopefully the worst of whatever strain of the virus he caught is behind him.