Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady revealed he contracted COVID-19 shortly after the team’s Super Bowl parade in February.
In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Brady, 43, said he tested positive for the virus back then. He added that the NFL could have a harder time dealing with the coronavirus as fans are set to return to stadiums.
“I actually think it’s going to play more of a factor this year than last year, just because of the way what we’re doing now and what the stadium is going to look like and what the travel is going to look like and the people in the building and the fans,” Brady told the newspaper. “It’s not like last year, although we’re getting tested like last year. It’s going to be, I definitely think guys are going to be out at different points and we’ve just got to deal with it.”
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Tampa Bay has a 100% vaccination rate among its players.
Vaccinated players still have to get tested regularly this season. The league and the NFL Players Association agreed to increase the frequency of testing to once per week rather than once every two weeks.
The Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys Thursday to open the season.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.