The COVID-19 pandemic has again touched the New Orleans Saints, with team owner Gayle Benson testing positive for a coronavirus infection. News of Benson’s diagnosis was first reported by Amie Just and Ramon Antonio Vargas for the Times-Piacyune | New Orleans Advocate on Friday, who added that Benson is receiving medical care and recovering well. Nick Underhill reported for NewOrleans.Football that Benson has been working from home and was not hospitalized.
Earlier this year, Saints coach Sean Payton tested was diagnosed with COVID-19 and quarantined at home for several weeks while recovering. Three Saints players (linebacker Kaden Elliss, long snapper Zach Wood, and wide receiver Deonte Harris) have entered the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol during training camp but were cleared within days, which is believed to be due to false positive test results.
Benson inherited ownership of the Saints and New Orleans Pelicans in 2018 after her late husband, Tom Benson, died of pneumonia. She has since used her resources to upgrade team facilities, keep the Saints competitive in free agency despite often skirting close to the salary cap, and house nearly 180 team personnel and players in a “semi-bubble” at a nearby hotel during Saints training camp. Here’s hoping she pulls through.
Statement on Saints owner Gayle Benson: pic.twitter.com/2vRAEtY6Q6
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 28, 2020
