TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith is having second thoughts on playing in the 2020 NFL season amid coronavirus concerns.
Smith, who the Bucs are counting on to protect Tom Brady's blindside, released a statement on social media saying the unknowns surrounding the 2020 season and the pandemic is making him feel uncomfortable.
"Risking my health as well as my family’s health does not seem like a risk worth taking. With my first child due in 3 weeks, I can’t help but think about how will I be able to go to work and take proper precautions around 80+ people [every day] to then go home to be with my newborn daughter," Smith said on social media.
The 27-year-old from Penn State has played five seasons, all with Tampa Bay. Smith is in Year 2 of his 3-year, $41.25 million contract extension that he signed prior to the 2019 NFL season.
So far during the pandemic, two Bucs players and an assistant coach have tested positive for coronavirus.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Below is a full statement Smith released on social media that was directed towards NFL and the player's association:
To whom it may concern:
With the start of the 2020 NFL season fast approaching, many thoughts and questions roam my mind as I’m sure it does for many of my fellow “coworkers” across the league. The unfortunate events of the COVID-19 pandemic have put a halt to a lot of things. Football is not one. To continue discussing the many UNKNOWNS do not give me the comfort. Risking my health as well as my family’s health does not seem like a risk worth taking. With my first child due in 3 weeks, I can’t help but think about how will I be able to go to work and take proper precautions around 80+ people everyday to then go home to be with my newborn daughter. How can a sport that requires physical contact on every snap and transferral of all types of bodily fluid EVERY SINGLE PLAY practice safe social distancing? How can I make sure that I don’t bring COVID-19 back to my household? Yes, we can get tested everyday, but if it takes 24 hours to get my results, how can I know each day that I am not spreading this virus or contracting it? The reoccurring issue here is how? There are too many “hows” that have yet to be answered to ease player concerns and ensure the safety of not only myself, but also my family. I just can’t imagine how the game will be the same during these unprecedented times. Now to hear that 35% of my paycheck may be withheld while we are out sacrificing our health and wellness for the joy and entertainment of everyone else who will be safe at home in front of their TVs? Something isn’t right here. That should at LEAST warrant a pay raise due to the risk, not a cut. I am not a lab rat or guinea pig to test theories on. I am a man, a son, brother, soon to be father, and I deserve to be safe at work."
