We are starting to hear from NFL players that don’t want to risk playing a contact sport amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL and other sports have taken a no-penalty type stance on any player that doesn’t feel comfortable playing in these times — and so far at least — we’ve not seen any of the mega superstars from the NFL opt-out.
However, there is a former Ohio State player that doesn’t believe it is worth the risk to play this season in the NFL. Former Ohio State left tackle Isaiah Prince has decided to not participate in the 2020-2021 NFL season due to concerns over the novel coronavirus. The announcement came from the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday.
Prince would have been entering his second year in the league. He was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft but waived in December, then claimed by the Bengals. He will get a pay advance determined by his risk level and will keep his contract and status with the Bengals into 2021.
There are now more than 30 NFL players that have joined the growing list of players deciding to opt-out of the upcoming season. Prince is the first former Buckeye to do so.
