Dont'a Hightower -- a 3-time Super Bowl champion and one of the leaders of the Patriots' defense -- has also chosen to sit out this season.
Hightower, according to NFL Network's Michael Giardi, just had a baby this month ... and his mom also has type 2 diabetes.
"Me and my fiancée are just more concerned with the health of our family than football," Hightower said in a statement to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "especially the new addition to our family."
The opt-out is a big blow for the Pats, Hightower recorded 71 tackles and 5.5 sacks for New England last season ... but he's also now one of FIVE Patriots choosing to forego the season.
Pats running back Brandon Bolden and offensive linemen Najee Toran and Marcus Cannon have also joined Hightower and fullback Danny Vitale in sitting out 2020.
There could be more on the way as well ... players still have until the end of this week to make opt-out decisions. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chief Roundup:
You mean during the late fall and winter time when these types of viruses are at their most potent. SMH
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So, tangent time, but... Earlier this year, all we heard was, "Once summer hits and everyone goes outside, the spread of COVID-19 will slow dramatically, but expect a surge when cooler weather returns and everyone goes back indoors." In actuality, I think what we're seeing is the exact opposite. As soon as the weather got hot, and everyone started going back outside, the cases exploded. People are going to beaches, bars, parks, gatherings, et cetera, and even though these are "open air" events it's being spread because people are maskless and getting way too close to each other. I think once the weather cools down we'll see a decrease in cases, because at least when people are indoors they're better at social distancing and mask-wearing. [Reply]
Originally Posted by JD10367:
So, tangent time, but... Earlier this year, all we heard was, "Once summer hits and everyone goes outside, the spread of COVID-19 will slow dramatically, but expect a surge when cooler weather returns and everyone goes back indoors." In actuality, I think what we're seeing is the exact opposite. As soon as the weather got hot, and everyone started going back outside, the cases exploded. People are going to beaches, bars, parks, gatherings, et cetera, and even though these are "open air" events it's being spread because people are maskless and getting way too close to each other. I think once the weather cools down we'll see a decrease in cases, because at least when people are indoors they're better at social distancing and mask-wearing.
I think it was the opposite. Where it got hot, people went inside in air conditioning.
There haven't been any cases of documented spread at an open air space, from what i've read. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
I really don't care that much but we might as well know who is choosing to sit. So far it isn't anyone really game changing.
Originally Posted by wazu:
Things aren’t rough, though. They got Cam, who could easily bounce back and be an upgrade over old dead-arm. The Patriots are back to being a possible contender this year. At least they are if they don’t all opt out.
Nah, he hasn't learned to read a defense yet. Poor Josh is going to have to dumb down the playbook for him. [Reply]
