Sports

Michigan State Football Team Quarantined Due To Coronavirus

The move was made after one player and two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.

The entire Michigan State University football team is in quarantine for 14 days after a second staff member and one player tested positive for the new coronavirus, the university said Friday.
The entire Michigan State University football team is in quarantine for 14 days after a second staff member and one player tested positive for the new coronavirus, the university said Friday. (Getty Images)

LANSING, MI — The entire Michigan State University football team is in quarantine for 14 days after a second staff member and one player tested positive for the coronavirus, the university said Friday.

MSU officials said in a statement that the positive tests were returned following testing conducted on members of the team over the last week. All members of the program will either be in quarantine or isolation, the university said.

The statement said the MSU Athletic Department's return to campus policy calls for student-athletes to quarantine when coming into close contact with anyone who tests positive for the virus. The university has designated areas available to house those in quarantine, it said.

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Testing for the football program was completed Wednesday and will be repeated prior to their clearance to return to workouts, the university said.

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Friday's announcement comes shortly after one of the football team's offensive linemen posted on Twitter concerns regarding a return to play.

Spartans tackle Jordan Reid said "guys are testing positive across the country left and right...why is there still discussion on a season?"

Michigan reported 594 new cases of the coronavirus Friday, bringing the state's coronavirus case total to 76,541. The state also reported three more people have died from the respiratory illness, bringing Michigan's total of deaths attributed to the virus to 6,151.

The state ranks 14th in the U.S. in coronavirus cases as of Friday, according to data gathered and provided by the World Health Organization.


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