DeMarcus Lawrence faces a difficult decision. He wants to report to Dallas Cowboys training camp on July 28, but he wants to make sure he can stay safe so that he can keep his family safe.
His wife, Sasha, is pregnant and will expire in October, and he is unsure whether it will be wise to introduce himself, given the coronavirus pandemic.
“I take it one day at a time, talking to my team and trying to figure out as many details as possible before making a decision and getting it clear,” Lawrence told ESPN. “Shoot, I love riding with my brothers and playing soccer. When I have to take that off, it’s difficult and I don’t want to make a decision like that. But I also have to make sure that I’m taking care of my family. Family is number 1 After the football game is over, that’s the only thing I have to depend on, so I have to take care of them. “
The NFL and the NFL Players Association have been working on protocols to potentially mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Lawrence said he heard there might be a chance to isolate himself by staying at a team hotel during camp.
“You can imprison the body, but you cannot imprison the mind. That is the choice of your freedom,” said Lawrence. “I feel like I’m going to be fine. I know my wife is a strong woman. She always takes a step forward for our family if we have to make this sacrifice to make sure our family struggles and continues to survive. Other than that, Damn it, no. But sometimes you have to roll with the punches, stand up, stand firm and do whatever you have to do to make things happen. “
The league and player association have not agreed to opt out. Lawrence is entering the second year of a five-year, $ 105 million contract that included a $ 25 million signing bonus. Lawrence said that if he didn’t show up at camp he would be subject to having to return part of the bond.
“It’s those kinds of things that make you think, ‘Man, are we some pawns? Is my life just a game,'” Lawrence said. “I know I don’t have an eternity to play, but at the end of the day, come on, are you going to spin me around because you have dollar signs on your face?”
Before fully committing to performing at camp, Lawrence, who missed the birth of his son in 2014 due to the rookie minicamp, said he would like to know the life situation, how the players would be evaluated and how often the would evaluate.
“But my number one concern is whether I will be able to see my family and be there for the birth of my daughter.” Lawrence said. “If I can’t, we really have to make some important considerations about this season, because I’m not going to miss the birth of another child.”
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