After opting out of the 2020 season, Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James tweeted the following statement:
After continuous conversation with my family over the past couple weeks about the NFL figuring out the plan for the 2020 season, I’ve decided to opt out. It is tough, but the right decision. There’s just too much unknown about this virus and about plans handling it going forward. My wife and I were blessed with our newborn son May 22 and he’s now my top priority. Although I worked all offseason and invested in my body to bounce back and have a great year on the field, it’s just not worth risking the health of my loved ones. I’ve seen this virus already hospitalize one of my family members and hope to not have that happen again. We can’t live in fear or just confine ourselves just to ur homes but we all have to make the right conscious choices and navigate through day to day life to protect our neighbors.
To my teammates I reached out to before making this decision, I appreciate your input and acknowledgment that the man comes first before the football player. All my brothers around the league, I pray for you and your families’ safety throughout the season and rest of this pandemic. To the Denver Community, these first two years weren’t what I expected them to be when arriving here. I know you don’t know we well and a false narrative was painted of me last year due to comments made about my injury, but I am invested in this city and my team. I look forward to the future we have here, but in that same breath, I’m even more invested in my family. Everyone make sure to stay positive through these crazy times and enjoy your loved ones. I hope 2021 will be a better year for all of us. Take care of yourselves, because ultimately, health is wealth.
Denver is expected to have Elijah Wilkinson replace James at right tackle.
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