Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert is super sorry for endangering countless people with his “careless” actions days before he tested positive for the coronavirus!
As we reported, the 27-year-old drew the ire of sports fans this week when he jokingly mocked the NBA’s temporary rules requiring media members to keep an 6 to 8 foot distance away from players amid the outbreak by touching all the microphones and recording devices on the table in an interview room.
Gobert started feeling symptoms on Tuesday and tested positive for coronavirus in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, causing the Jazz’s game against the Thunder to be postponed and, shortly after, the NBA season to be suspended.
Related: Fans Think The Simpsons Predicted Tom Hanks Would Get Coronavirus!
Naturally, basketball lovers were irritated by Gobert’s neglectful attitude — which reportedly extended to the locker room, where he was said to have been touching teammates and their possessions over the last several days — so the athlete had a lot to apologize for when it was time to speak up.
Well, he did apologize, for what it’s worth, telling his Instagram followers on Thursday that he hopes his story “causes everyone to take this seriously.”
Making sure to first thank his many supporters and well wishers, the basketballer wrote:
“I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours. I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis…mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment. The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously.”
He continued:
“I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus. I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy. Love.”
We’re glad he learned something from all this. Hopefully many others did, too!
Read his full post (below).
Several of the teams the Jazz played over the past few weeks have announced plans for the players to self-quarantine. Meanwhile, the Jazz’s latest opponent, the Raptors, announced that their traveling party had been tested for COVID-19.
The team’s statement read:
“We await those results. Our players, coaches and traveling staff have all been advised to go into self-isolation for 14 days, which means minimizing contact in accordance with public health guidelines. Our team doctors remain in communication with infection control specialists and public health authorities, and we will continue to abide by their advice.”
Upon canceling the rest of the regular season, the NBA explained its decision in a statement to fans, noting:
“The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminary tested positive for COVID-19. The test was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Yikes. Stay safe out there, Perezcious readers!
[Image via WENN]
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