Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Marquise Goodwin announced Tuesday that he will not play this season due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, making him one of several league players to do so.
Since then, he said, he has had many “concerned” fans in his mentions trying to embarrass him about that decision and claiming that the coronavirus is not serious.
Goodwin responded on Wednesday afternoon.
Marquise Goodwin will not play this season due to concerns about the coronavirus. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
“There are 150,000 dead who would argue differently”
Goodwin defended his decision in a tweet on Wednesday and criticized those who do not take the pandemic seriously in the process.
I have received so many messages and @ from “worried” fans that tell me how stupid I am and that this COVID-19 is not that serious … I bet on my bank account that there are 150,000 dead who could argue differently. #Keep going
– MG (@marquisegoodwin) July 29, 2020
There were more than 4.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US as of Wednesday afternoon, according to The New York Times, and it was attributed more than 150,000 deaths. The country has reported more than 65,000 new cases every day in the past week, and also more than 1,100 deaths every day.
Goodwin accumulated 186 yards and had a touchdown in nine games last season for the San Francisco 49ers. He was placed in the injured reserve in December while dealing with knee and foot injuries. The Eagles picked him up in an exchange in April.
Goodwin, who was set to enter his eighth season in the league, explained his reasoning for choosing not to participate in a video on Tuesday. His daughter’s death in 2017 and the loss of twins the following year during a complication of pregnancy, he said, were determining factors in his decision.
“After choosing football so many times, I feel like I’m inclined to make the right choice by choosing my family first first,” he said. “The NFL is known to be implementing security protocols to combat the COVID pandemic, as well as other professional sports leagues.
“I am not going to risk experiencing another loss due to my selfish decision making. I can’t do it.It’s not something I’m willing to live with, so I chose to choose to play alone this season, or until medical professionals around the world agree that the world is a safe environment for everyone, and not just for NFL players. “
