Amen Ogbongbemiga Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Amen Ogbongbemiga, a Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) said that he was tested positive for coronavirus after he attended the Tulsa protest. A second-team All-Big 12 selection last year, Ogbongbemiga had also played college football at Calgary. After being tested for COVID-19 he suggested people going to the protest to take care & stay safe. In a Twitter post on June 3 he wrote that “After attending a protest in Tulsa AND being well protective of myself, I have tested positive for COVID-19. Please, if you are going to protest, take care of yourself, and stay safe.”

University protocols for COVID-19 Infected Players.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it was Ogbongbemiga among the team of 30 players to have returned to the campus on June 2, Monday. All the 30 players along with staff members & the coach were tested for coronavirus. Ogbongbemiga (for having tested positive for coronavirus) will have to live separate on-campus housing during the quarantine period per the university protocol. Retesting will be done for Ogbongbemiga on June 5, Friday as per the sources. There will also be another retesting after June 5 on Ogbongbemiga. He will be following all the school protocol, local and state health department & university guidelines. Monitoring will be done by a dedicated team of physicians, medical consultants, and other athletic training staff. Contact tracing will also be done soon on everyone who came in contact with Ogbongbemiga.

Ogbongbemiga Career.

Ogbongbemiga had led the team and was a senior this fall. With 100 tackles, five sacks, an interception, and 15.5 tackles for loss, he was ranked sixth in the Big 12. Last year, he was also voted as the defensive MVP of the team. The Oklahoma State linebacker said that he had followed all the precautionary measures before going to the Tulsa protest and was, “well protective” of himself at the time, he was attending the protest. And, he advised everyone who is going out to protest to stay safe & cautious.

After the Big 12 announced that the football teams can return to the fields for voluntary workouts, teams have started preparation for June 15 when the activities begin all over again. A moratorium was imposed on almost all kinds of athletic activities after the coronavirus pandemic outbreak took place.

Coronavirus Concerns During Protests.

With several sports figures & people from around the state participating in the protest, after the unfortunate death of George Floyd (who was in Minneapolis police, custody) — Ogbongbemiga advised people to be safe & mindful. During the protest, thousands of people have come together in the hope of eradicating racial inequality & the police brutality that was showcased after the George Floyd case. Amidst the protest, another bothering thing for protesters is the further spread of coronavirus that has already taken away more than 100,000 lives in America. The major concern is social-distancing which is practically not possible in a packed crowded place. With the news of Ogbongbemiga being tested positive for coronavirus after participating in the protest, this concern is even worsening. And, if you are also thinking of going to the protest to make sure that you are taking extra care.