A day after choosing not to participate in the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns, Patrick Chung appeared on “CBS This Morning” to explain his reasoning.
“Of course, it’s a difficult decision,” New England Patriots security said Wednesday morning. “You want to play soccer. I’m at the last end of my career, so I wanted to play soccer. But when it comes to that, I feel that money is not that important.
“I have a girlfriend who is pregnant, a girl soon, my son has a little asthma, my dad is 75 years old. I felt that this was the best decision for my family to keep everyone safe. I don’t think it’s fair to them. So I decided to do that. It has not finished. It was just postponed a little bit. ”
New England @Patriots’ @ PatrickChung23 is a 3-time #SuperBowl champion and one of six team players who have chosen not to participate in this upcoming @NFL season due to #coronavirus concerns.
Only at @CBSThisMorning, he joins us to discuss how he came to the decision to stay out. pic.twitter.com/jn2sMbVyUY
– CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) July 29, 2020
To date, Chung is one of six Patriots players who choose not to participate, joining linebacker Dont’a Hightower, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, running back Brandon Bolden, fullback Danny Vitale and guard Najee Toran.
Chung, Hightower, Cannon and Bolden have won multiple Super Bowls with New England. The last time the Patriots played a regular-season game without at least one of the four assets was Week 10 of the 2011 season.
Volunteer NFL players will receive a $ 150,000 salary advance for the season. Those considered “highest risk,” a list that likely includes Cannon, who has a history of cancer, will receive a stipend of $ 350,000.
According to a Tuesday report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots do not expect any further exclusions. However, Chung indicated that “many” players are weighing their options. The deadline for player opt-out is August 3.
“I don’t know,” Chung said when asked if other Patriots would choose not to participate. “I really can’t speak (for) those guys. I know many boys are thinking, it is; It is a terrifying situation. And whatever they decide, then that depends on them. I really can’t speak for them. As I said, everyone has different situations. Some people don’t have high-risk people in or around their home, so it’s a little different. Hopefully, whatever they do, they make the right choice that will keep your family healthy, safe and healthy.
“Then we’ll see. That will come out eventually. We have a couple more days.
Chung, who was entering his twelfth season in the NFL (eleventh with the Patriots) and turns 33 in August, added that the league’s plans to protect players from the coronavirus did not influence his decision.
“The league is taking their precautions, trying to do what they can to keep us safe,” he said. “Then it is nothing with the league. It is simply that people have different situations and different families. I just have a situation where I had to make the best decision for my family, so that’s what I did. ”
Chung was asked how Bill Belichick reacted upon learning that New England would be without one of its veteran defensive players this season. He did not reveal details of their conversation, but said the Patriots head coach “fully understood.”
“That is private, but he understood,” said Chung. “He understands that a serious pandemic is occurring. He totally understood it. You think Bill is this drill sergeant, but he’s actually a very loving person. Then he fully understood, and that was it. It was a brief phone call.
Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty said Sunday that the reckless behavior he has seen of some players on social media has made him “very nervous” about a possible cancellation this season. Other players have also voiced their concerns. Does Chung expect the season to be played?
“I mean, I pray like this,” he replied. “That just means that these things in the crown are getting better. So I play there, but as of now, it’s still a dangerous thing. So I really don’t know. I hope it is for the sake of the fans and the people who can take care of their families, other young players and everything.
“But we’ll see. If it gets worse, I don’t see it happening. It’s about security. But from now on, I guess it’s fine. Hopefully it gets better and the season can go. Only time can tell.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports Images
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