Morning sports update: Bill Belichick talked about Patriots’ status after Stephon Gilmore’s positive COVID-19 test
"Without a healthy team, you don't have a team."
The news that Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive for COVID-19 sent the Patriots into virtual meetings on Wednesday.
And while the team discovered no new positive results from the latest round of COVID-19 testing, New England is still working remotely on Thursday despite having a game against the Broncos on Sunday.
Source confirms that the Patriots had no new positive results come back from yesterday’s testing. Patriots are not out of the woods yet, and will continue working remotely today, but this is good news
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 8, 2020
Elsewhere, the Revolution lost at home to Toronto FC on Wednesday, 1-0.
And tomorrow, the Lakers have a chance to clinch the NBA title in Game 5 of the Finals against the Heat. Los Angeles leads Miami 3-1. The game tips off at 9 p.m. on Friday night.
Bill Belichick on the team’s status: Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Patriots coach Bill Belichick gave an update on the team’s status as New England continues to prepare for a 4:25 p.m. kickoff on Sunday against the Broncos even after Gilmore’s positive test.
As a result of the positive test, the Patriots went to virtual meetings on Wednesday and did not practice.
“We made the decision to close the facility for the health and safety of our team,” said Belichick. “That is always priority number one.”
“There’s nothing more important than the health of the team,” he added. “Without a healthy team, you don’t have a team.”
New England will again meet only virtually on Thursday, though Belichick noted that at this point, it’s obviously not for football reasons.
“We’re relying on the doctors and the people in that role,” the Patriots’ coach explained. “These aren’t football decisions. These are medical decisions.”
Regarding the Week 5 status Cam Newton, who has been out since Saturday on the COVID-10/reserve list, Belichick said that the Patriots’ quarterback would participate virtually.
“Anybody that tested positive wouldn’t be allowed to be in any in-person meetings until they’re cleared medically,” said Belichick. “So, that’s that. But in terms of virtual meetings, yeah. Absolutely.”
Asked about conversations he’s had with the league — regarding a minimum amount of on-field time needed to prepare for a game — Belichick said he would keep those talks private, “so that way it doesn’t get taken out of context.”
Still, Belichick took an upbeat view of the team’s circumstances. Despite preparing to play an opponent who has been unencumbered by positive tests (and has been practicing all week), the New England coach had a simple response.
“It’s not what we would choose to do,” said Belichick, “but this is what we can do, so we’re going to do the best we can with it.”
Trivia: Bill Belichick got his first job in the NFL in 1975 working for what head coach of the Colts?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He later became offensive coordinator of the Bills, losing to Belichick (then a defensive coordinator for the Giants) in Super Bowl XXV.
More from Boston.com:
- The Patriots and Chiefs shouldn’t have played Monday. The NFL is to blame for what happens next.
- What’s next for the Patriots following Stephon Gilmore’s positive test?
- Patrick Mahomes said he had a ‘mental lapse’ in having close conversation with Stephon Gilmore
- How does Jarrett Stidham prepare for every game? Like he’s going to be ‘the guy’
- Is it time to start worrying about the Buffalo Bills?
- Bill Belichick’s last two Patriots draft classes are beginning to pay dividends
- Tom Brady, Buccaneers look to keep rolling when they meet Bears
- Video: Charles Barkley lost a $100k bet when the Falcons blew their 28-3 lead to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
- Stephon Gilmore says he ‘followed every protocol’ despite testing positive for COVID-19
- Here’s a list of the Bruins’ draft picks in the 2020 NHL draft
Patrick Mahomes on his postgame conversation with Stephon Gilmore
:
“Knowing that I went up to him after the game and just gave him the high five like I’ve done my whole career and not thinking about it was, I mean, a little bit of a mental lapse.” – Patrick Mahomes on Stephon Gilmore who tested positive for coronavirus today.#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/E0wPFAg6RP
— Pete Francis (@Pete_Francis) October 7, 2020
Chase Winovich’s take on the vice presidential debate:
What do you think the fly was trying to tell us?
— Chase Winovich (@Wino) October 8, 2020
On this day: In 2018, Brock Holt hit for the cycle against Yankees in the American League Division Series as the Red Sox went on to win at Yankee Stadium, 16-1.
Daily highlight: Portland’s Diego Valeri with a delicious chip shot to help his team defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy, 6-3.
El Maestro doing El Maestro things.@DiegoDv8 makes it 3-1.#LAGvPOR | #RCTID pic.twitter.com/3w60gS5clw
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) October 8, 2020
Trivia answer: Ted Marchibroda
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