I still can’t believe it! Have any NFL players died of Covid? It just seems surreal that something so contagious could’ve impacted athletes who are renowned for their strength and durability. And yet, here we are. Times have certainly changed.
My mind instantly thinks of the unknowns of the future; What does this mean for the NFL? It’s hard to tell if there will be a 2021 or not. How terrible it must be for a player who played for years, only to not be able to even make it to their projected last year — all because of a virus!
I’ve been following some news about Covid and its effects on the NFL, and learned that sadly, three NFL stars have lost their lives to the virus this year. It’s so hard to take in the news. All three had families, friends, fans, and teammates mourning their loss. It must have been emotionally crushing.
I remember hearing the news that defensive end, Joe Cooper, had passed away from the virus back in August. He already had an underlying heart condition, and the virus took its toll on him and his family. Fans said he was a great player and even had made it to the Pro Bowl a few years ago. It’s heartbreaking.
Another tragedy this year was the passing of offensive lineman, Larry Smith. He was the first offensive lineman to die from Covid, which goes to show that no one is immune to the danger of the virus. I can’t even imagine his family going through this. It’s just so sad.
The most recent loss is that of Geremy Davis, who died from Covid-19 complications in December. A Stanford alumn, Davis had played for the Chargers, Panthers, and Lions during his short career. He was praised by his former teammates as a hardworking player who always gave it his all. He had a great outlook even when times got tough.
While it’s devastating news that three NFL players have passed away from Covid, I just want to take a moment to appreciate all the lessons we can take from this tragedy. No matter how strong and invincible we feel, everyone is vulnerable in some way. This pandemic has proven that.
It’s also a reminder to take precaution and be careful of the way we live our lives. We must follow social distancing guidelines and take every opportunity to look out for ourselves. It’s important to be smart and not give in to risky behavior.
Going back to the original question, have any NFL players died of Covid? It’s a sad but unfortunately true statement. My heart goes out to their families and I pray that God gives them peace and strength in this difficult time. I can only hope that the NFL takes all of this into consideration when planning for next season.