Tag: coronavirus pandemic

Tom Brady donating 10M meals through Wheels Up partnership amid coronavirus pandemic

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is partnering with Wheels Up to deliver meals to people in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

The country, like the rest of the world, is dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and today, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady announced he is partnering with private aviation company Wheels Up to bring meals to people in need.

Check out Brady’s announcement below, via his official Twitter account.

Brady also took to his Instagram back in March to deliver a message to fans about staying healthy and safe during this time.

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Florida Governor believes coronavirus circulated around the Super Bowl

Florida’ Governor Rick DeSantis believes the coronavirus was around Super Bowl week in South Florida.

Florida Gov. Rick DeSantis brought the coronavirus home to the Super Bowl, saying he believes the virus was circulating in the state during this year’s Super Bowl game, which was held in South Florida, the area of the Sunshine State with the most positive cases of the virus.

“The numbers are pretty stark. I think this thing was circulating during the Super Bowl. Now, Miami’s rate of cases is a lot higher than statewide,” DeSantis said Tuesday.

The governor said Tuesday that he believes there were already cases of the virus present in the Sunshine State but that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s criteria for testing at that time would not have allowed Floridians to be tested unless they had recently visited certain areas of China, where the virus was first reported last year.

The Super Bowl was played between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium in February. Approximately 62,000 people attended the game but countless more were in the area for the festivities of the week.

 

Big 12 Conference to allow virtual group activities, more communication with student-athletes

The Big 12 Conference has revised its initial policies after the coronavirus pandemic effected sports in a release on Sunday night.

The Big 12 Conference has revised its initial policies after the coronavirus pandemic effected sports.

Schools from the Big 12 were not allowed to partake in virtual meetings, communicate on workout plans or send workout equipment to its football players due to the previously announced all organized team activities whether organized or voluntary, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings being impermissible through March 29. This came to the dismay of Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, who talked about the uneven playing field across college football on a radio show this week.

On Sunday night, the Big 12 announced that it has since changed its initial stance. The conference posted nine new policies that will be put in place on Monday. Three of which include the use of virtual meetings, sending self-directed workout plans and providing apparel and personal equipment to players who need it:

  • All “virtual” group activities, including film study, are limited to two hours per week in all sports.  Only countable coaches may conduct virtual film study, technical discussions, tactical sessions and other non-physical activities. These policies will be revisited and adjusted at regular intervals and as circumstances dictate.

  • Coaches can recommend written, self-directed workout plans provided they are approved in accordance with proper procedures as outlined by each institution’s appropriate sport performance, medical and/or athletic training personnel (and in accordance with the NCAA Recommendations on Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death).  Taped demonstration videos on respective workout plans are allowed in order to demonstrate proper form and technique.  Institutional personnel may not supervise, conduct or monitor workouts on or off campus.

  • It is permissible for institutions to provide off-campus student-athletes with apparel and personal equipment that is regularly available to student-athletes when they are on campus for conditioning workouts.  The provision of other equipment is not to extend to rental, purchase or arrangement of conditioning or strength training equipment or machines (e.g. stationary bicycles, treadmills, free weights, benches or weight machines) but is intended to allow for reasonable supplies such as stretching band/straps, foam rollers, etc.

Organized, in-person team activities are still not allowed, as well as any other in-person activities such as position workouts, film meetings or voluntary workouts. Oklahoma director of performance Bennie Wylie and other strength and conditioning coaches in the Big 12 will not be allowed to administer any of the workouts he gives to the players, either.

Schools will be allowed to help its student-athletes in regards to recovering from injuries, academic support and mental health and wellness support.

The Big 12 Conference announced that is board and directors of athletics will “will convene regularly to assess changing circumstances and to make shared decisions regarding amendments to the above-listed policies”. They also announced that these policies will remain in place until May 31.

The NCAA has yet to mandate anything new related to sport activities outside of the currently mandated recruiting dead period through April 15.

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Allen Robinson leading hunger relief campaign amid coronavirus pandemic

Bears WR Allen Robinson is providing meals to students in Chicago Public Schools through a hunger relief campaign amid coronavirus pandemic.

Chicago Bears receiver Allen Robinson embodies everything a football player should be. While he’s one of the best players on the Bears’ roster, he’s an even better person off the field.

The Bears’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee has stepped up following the coronavirus pandemic, where so many people have been affected, including students around the country. Robinson is helping those kids in Chicago that are missing out on meals they would receive during the school day.

Robinson is providing meals to students in Chicago Public Schools through a hunger relief campaign. Robinson said he would match $12,000 in donations to his Within Reach Foundation for this effort. For every $12 donation, a local family will receive a 20-pound box of food.

“I was trying to seek out a way that I could help,” Robinson told ChicagoBears.com. “Seeing how many kids are reliant on the food that is provided from the school system—whether it’s breakfast, lunch and sometimes after-school stuff—with them being out of school it’s tough for those kids to be able to get meals and it’s tough for some families to afford to feed a kid who’s at home all day.”

Robinson’s teammate Charles Leno Jr. has already pledged $7,200 towards the cause.

While Robinson initially pledged to match up to $12,000 in donations, that total was surpassed within the first 24 hours of the campaign. As a result, Robinson plans to increase his contribution.

“For me trying to be able to help the kids in the inner city of Chicago and seeing everybody step up to the plate alongside of me, it’s definitely bigtime and it’s definitely much appreciated,” Robinson said. “I get so much support from the city of Chicago, and it’s definitely awesome to see.”

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Athletes, team owners get put money and muscle behind coronavirus fight

Many athletes and team owners are joining in the fight against COVID-19.

Many athletes and team owners have joined in against the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some of them.

Arik Armstead 49ers

 Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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How did Tom Brady become a topic at President Trump’s news briefing?

Tom Brady came up while President Trump met the press corps Thursday for a news briefing.

Tom Brady is turning up everywhere. The new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was mentioned Thursday during President Donald Trump’s news briefing with the press corps.

Per the Washington Post:

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) clashed with President Trump during a conference call with governors on Thursday, pleading with him to take more dramatic action to secure medical supplies for his state as it suffers from the coronavirus pandemic, according to four people familiar with the call.

After Trump told governors that his administration was ready to be the “backup” for states in crisis, Inslee spoke up and said to the president, “We don’t need a backup. We need a Tom Brady,” a reference to the Super Bowl-winning quarterback who has been friendly with the president, said the people familiar with the exchange with the president, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private conference call.

Brady and the President have long been acquainted and the quarterback got caught up in a political firestorm in 2015 when a “Make America Great Again” hat was spotted in his locker.

Watch Stephen Curry’s full COVID-19 informative interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci

For around 30 minutes, Stephen Curry fielded questions regarding the coronavirus with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.

With the NBA season on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, Stephen Curry spent time on social media with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. The tandem fielded questions regarding coronavirus from a large audience, live on Instagram through Curry’s account.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, joined Curry to discuss all things COVID-19, including common questions to help spread the correct information about the virus.

Curry and Fauci covered a bevy of topics, including the differences between the flu and coronavirus, the timeline of a possible vaccine, the chances of getting the virus more than once and what steps need to happen to get sporting events back on the calendar.

During the 28 minute Q&A period, Curry’s Instagram video gathered nearly 50,000 viewers, including President Barack Obama, Justin Bieber, Andre Iguodala and Common.

Watch Curry and Dr. Fauci’s COVID-19 conversation via YouTube:

On top of his informative interview with Fauci, Curry has been active since the NBA has gone on hiatus due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The two-time Most Valuable Player has advocated for social distancing, along with setting up a meal donation plan for out of school children with his wife, Ayesha.

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Drew and Brittany Brees donating $5M to Louisiana

Drew and Brittany Brees are donating $5 million to aid Louisiana through the coronavirus pandemic.

Drew Brees famously was drawn to Louisiana after the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The Saints’ quarterback has done an incredible amount to become a heart of New Orleans.

Brees and his wife, Brittany, are looking to help out the state, which has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Breeses announced Thursday they will donate $5 million to Louisiana to help the state get through these rough times.

Brittany and I are committing $5,000,000 to the State of Louisiana in 2020. The priority now is helping our communities get through this tough time.
After considerable research and conversations with local organizations, we will be mobilizing our partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank, Ochsner Health Systems, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Smalls Sliders and Waitr to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes to children on meal programs, seniors, and families in need. Let’s all do our part, maintain hope, and get through this together.

 

Stephen Curry to host COVID-19 Q&A with Dr. Anthony Fauci on Instagram

Stephen Curry will host a question and answer segment on Instagram with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.

While the Golden State Warriors’ season is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Stephen Curry has been active.

The two-time Most Valuable Player has advocated for social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Curry and his wife Ayesha have started a breakfast and lunch donation pledge for out of school children in Oakland.

On Thursday, Curry will host a coronavirus question and answer segment with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. The Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease will join Curry on Instagram to take questions on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Via @StephenCurry30 on Twitter:

Among current NBA players, Golden State’s point guard is second to only LeBron James when it comes to Instagram followers. With Curry’s social media platform, the duo could have an audience of 29.8 million people.

Dr. Fauci has been seen on television during President Donald Trump’s White House COVID-19 task force briefings. The doctor recently joined the sports podcast Pardon My Take to answer questions regarding the virus.

Join Curry and Fauci on Instagram at 10 a.m. PST. You can submit questions for the Q&A using the hashtag #SCASKSFAUCI.

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Watch: Former college QB turned opera singer serenades neighbors in Spain

Former Arizona State quarterback Gus Farwell is doing his best to entertain his neighbors in Spain during the coronavirus pandemic.

Former Arizona State quarterback Gus Farwell is doing his part to keep those in lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic in Spain entertained.

The backup to Jake Plummer in 1996 is a tenor and at 8 p.m. every night in Spain he serenades anyone within the distance of his incredible, operatic voice.

“What really set it off is there are two little girls that live downstairs that are probably six or seven,” Farwell told 12news.com. “They left me two notes in my mail. They drew pictures of me on the balcony singing and left little notes saying,  ‘Will you sing for us tonight? Thank you for singing,’ and that just killed me.

Perhaps in some inexplicable way, the moment was meant to be. After a failed audition in 2019, Gus nearly stopped singing.

“I was just so disappointed how badly it went and I haven’t sung in eight months, I haven’t done anything. It’s taken this to remind me of why I love to sing.”

Gus’s children record videos of him singing the family posts to social media. He’s gotten more than 100,000 views on a single video and messages from people all across the world.

Farwell completed half of his four pass attempts for 16 yards in 1996, backing up Plummer, who went on to be a second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals after throwing for 8,626 yards as a Sun Devil.

This could provide an idea for current Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who also sings opera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93s9pHGUpjY