Sean Payton, the New Orleans Saints Head Coach, confirmed that he’d contracted the novel coronavirus. This leader is resting in his home while implementing self-isolation strategies, meaning that family have been positioned somewhere else in New Orleans. When asked why he informed the public of his novel coronavirus, Sean Payton noted that he wants to motivate locals to fight the Covid-19 Pandemic. This information was publicly announced through ESPN Sports, where Sean Payton would quickly post a photo to Instagram to confirm the announcement.

The Instagram post expressed that Payton appreciates the good wishes and that he’s begun feeling better. It should be noted that Sean Payton hasn’t experienced the respiratory symptoms associated with Covid-19. He’ll have to remain quarantined inside for an additional four days before being provided clearance by local government officials. Sean Payton is the first NFL Coach to announce his diagnosis, with it being expected that several others have secretly contracted Covid-19 and are keeping it from the public.

Sean Payton was tested on March 23rd for the novel coronavirus. He wouldn’t receive results until March 27th. It’s suspected that Payton contracted the virus after attending various meetings on behalf of the New Orleans Saints. After feeling ill on March 22nd, he was inducted into the local hospital and returned home for self-quarantine measures. Family members were informed about distancing themselves from Sean Payton immediately.

ESPN Interview

When speaking to ESPN Reporters, Sean Payton mentioned that he isn’t experiencing severe side effects. That means the NFL Coach is an elderly male without respiratory symptoms, placing him into a different minority worldwide. Statements continued by Payton noting younger people have to better themselves throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. A large percentage of young adults have carried out their regular lives without considering the consequences towards others. It was noted that everyone must do their part across America to ensure public safety.

Sean Payton clarified that two states should be mainly governed, with those including New Orleans and Louisiana. An overwhelming number of international tourists ranging between 21 – 28 years of age attend these states yearly for Mardi Gras. Considering that spring is right around the corner, Payton believes that government enforcement should be implemented to avoid another Daytona Beach situation.

Medical experts in Spain have unveiled the youngest individuals to contract Covid-19 in their home nation. That individual is Francisco Garcia, aged twenty. Confirming that he contracted the coronavirus came as a significant shock for parents in Malaga. That’s because Francisco Garcia is the Youth Coach for Atletico Portada. Some believe he could’ve contracted the virus to younger hosts, with Francisco Garcia, unfortunately, dying from Covid-19 after battling it for two weeks on March 15th.

The Atletico Portada Football Club provided a formal announcement regarding this death. It was mentioned that their deepest condolences are expressed to the relatives, family and friends of Francisco Garcia. When the family was questioned on Garcia’s rate of infection, they noted that his health declined immediately within four days and prompted his death. Considering that Francisco Garcia was a healthy footballer at twenty-years of age, its shocked medical experts that this Youth Coach didn’t have any formal medical conditions. Autopsies were held to locate any previously unknown medical conditions that would’ve allowed the coronavirus to thrive in Francisco Garcia’s system.

Doctors informed Francisco to take three doses of paracetamol daily to limit the sore throat that initially started. After twelve hours, his condition deteriorated and prompted Garcia’s parent to rush him to the emergency room. ER Doctors provided minimal help to the Youth Coach, providing him antibiotics and returned him home. The limited medical assistance prompted Francisco’s condition to worsen and eventually pass away. It should be noted that his step-father now has Covid-19 and can barely stand with an increasing fever. It’s expected that under this fathers older age, he’ll also be unable to recover and ultimately pass away from the coronavirus.

No Funeral

Neither parents were permitted to say goodbye to their son. They weren’t provided with a burial, mass grave site or ashes after Francisco Garcia passed away. That’s because individuals that have died from Covid-19 are being burned and immediately disposed of in the most effective medical methods possible. Before Garcia was burned, medical experts performed an autopsy and revealed that Francisco had undiagnosed leukaemia. That would’ve made it nearly impossible for his body to fight off Covid-19. The parents expressed publicly that they never thought this virus would kill their son and are devastated by this loss.

March 12th marked an important date for the COVID-19 Pandemic. There was an influx of announcements surrounding cancellations regarding sporting events, with Major League Soccer included in those flurries of reports. It was confirmed that MLS would be postponed by thirty days following the increased outbreak in North America. This came as a substantial disappointment for the Philadelphia Union, who were preparing to experience their home opener on March 14th. Supporters of this MLS outfit were excited for the home opener, with the Philadelphia Union tying LAFC 3-3 in an exciting draw.

It should be mentioned that the National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League have also postponed their respective seasons. Considering that all MLS teams were training for the upcoming weekend, it was surprising to players and team coaches alike to learn that the season would be postponed. The Head Coach for the Philadelphia Union, Jim Curtin, held a press conference regarding the unexpected announcement.

He mentioned that when the announcement came in, everybody was training in anticipation of San Jose. Everyone was immediately informed to walk off the field and implement self-isolation tactics. Jim Curtin noted that there’s an uneasy feeling around the MLS Community, with nobody particularly aware of what’s coming in the next month. There’s the potential that the coronavirus outbreak in North America will become a pandemic, which would prompt extended delays of sporting events. Some analysts anticipate that 2020 will historically be considered “The Year Sports Ended”.

The Quarantine Protocols

When questioned by reporters if the Philadelphia Union’s are supporting the decision to postpone the season for thirty days, Jim Curtin expressed that he believes MLS Executives made the correct decision. The safety and health of the overall MLS community have become drastically essential for all twenty-six outfits.

All employed individuals with Major League Soccer have been informed to stay away from their respective training facilities going forward. Additional updates will be provided on March 16th, with it being expected that players will be told to train privately in their separate residences. Coaches will have video-conference calls with these players to ensure the proper strategies are being taught. This level of coaching will never have been experienced by Jim Curtin or anybody else operating within MLS.

After considerable speculation relating to the Chris Jones tenure with the Cleveland Browns, it’s been announced that he’ll be leaving this National Football League Organization. It follows after he left the Canadian Football League, where he stood as the General Manager and Head Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Chris Jones joined the NFL as a Senior Defensive Specialist in January 2019, working under Freddie Kitchens in his rookie season. Freddie Kitchens was terminated after a single season with the Cleveland Browns, leaving the remaining coaching staff to be fired potentially. Christ Jones is the 1st of Kitchens selections to be fired.

Kevin Stefanski is taking the position of Head Coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2020, with this former athlete selecting Joe Woods for the defensive coordinator role. The Senior Defensive Specialist position was awarded to Steve Wilks, forcing Chris Jones to leave his previous position. This doesn’t mean that Jones won’t remain with the Buffalo Bills in some capacity, with his contract active until December 2020. Rumours indicate that he’ll be placed into an analytic role, which would better suit his history as a former general manager and head coach.

The Future & Past for Jones

Sporting analysts are speculating that Chris Jones will return to the Canadian Football League in 2021. The exit clause option under his contract would be foolish to enact, with all CFL Staff Roles taken for the 2020 season. New caps placed onto football operational personally with the CFL means that limited funds are available for outfits to acquire Jones. He’ll become one of the most desired coaches with the 2021 CFL Season, as the former Saskatchewan general manager acquired multiple grey cups.

Those championship victories were acquired for Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Saskatchewan. Chris Jones proved countless times that his coaching tactics created champion-winning teams. It’s not known if Kevin Stefanski plans to re-hire Chris Jones for the 2021 NFL Season, with his restructuring not indicating that Jones isn’t active under a coaching staff position anymore. When visiting the Cleveland Browns website, Chris Jones cannot be located on any page. This leads many to believe he’ll return to the CFL instead of the NFL.

Texas Head Coach Resigns for General Manager Position

Another shocking resignation was announced this week, with Bill O’Brien leaving the Houston Texas in June. It’s not known who will take over the newly available General Manager position, which will be vacant until a new applicant can be found. The Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Houston Texans will take over the GM responsibilities until a new candidate is located.

Alterations in the coaching staff for Michigan State University have been underway during the winter break. The first confirmed change follows with the Head Coach, who has been named as Mel Tucker. Aged forty-eight, this man has spent 20+ engaging with the football youth and seen multiple players under his outfits enter the National Football League. He began coaching with Michigan, employed as the Graduate Assistant Coach for Nick Saban. After terminating his coaching contract with MCU, Tucker went to work with multiple universities and college football organizations. Joining Michigan sees Mel Tucker leave Colorado after lengthy employment. Tucker considered this the hardest decision in his coaching career but had to switch sides for sentimental reasons. If it wasn’t for Michigan State University, Mel Tucker might’ve never become a football coach.

Mel Tucker is leaving his head coaching position with Colorado State University with 23+ years of experience. The announcement of his termination has broken Colorado’s program, with players requesting that he remain with this outfit. The athletics director for CSU mentioned that all individuals connected with their football program are disappointed to see him leave, with replacements already being searched before Mid-Season. Assistant Coaching Staff will lead this outfit until a new Head Coach can be located.

Mel Tucker’s History

The extensive coaching history behind Mel Tucker includes multiple notable moments. He acted as the defensive coach for the 2015-18 Southeastern Conferences. Throughout 2001 to 2004, Tucker was the head coach for Ohio State University. After leaving OSU in 2005, he joined the National Football League for ten seasons. Mel Tucker would spend twelve months with the University of Colorado before leaving for Michigan. Players expressed that he guaranteed the rookie players four seasons until their graduation and that they’re shocked with him turning back on his word.

Additional moments to remember throughout Mel Tucker’s career include two national championships under the Ohio State University, with a third acquired under the Alabama State University in 2015. Before entering the role of defensive coach, Mel Tucker was a professional player for the University of Wisconsin until 1995, where he’d acquire an NFL contract for five seasons. When speaking with reporters at ESPN or TSN, Mel Tucker expressed that he’s coaches multiple outfits but hasn’t ever been so excited to start a new position. Sentiment towards his previous time with the University of Michigan became evident, with him expressing that all skillsets he’s acquired through 25+ years of football will be implemented into his strategies with MCU.