San Jose State football program confirms positive virus tests
The San Jose State football team that concluded a historic season last week has 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to data provided by Santa Clara County.
The information provides the most in- depth public account to date of an outbreak within the team that appeared in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 31.
The data did not include details about when or where the positive tests occurred. County public health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But a San Jose State spokesman acknowledged Thursday in an email that the football team had positive tests at home and in Tucson, where the bowl game was held a week ago.
“Individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 or were deemed a close contact during testing in San Jose did not travel to Tucson,” wrote Kenneth Mashinchi, senior director of media relations.
He wrote that county officials told the school Thursday the cases associated with football meet the criteria to be defined as an outbreak.
NFL
DONALD, KELCE UNANIMOUS ALL-PRO CHOICES >> Dynamic defensive star Aaron Donald and unstoppable tight end Travis Kelce are unanimous choices for The Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team.
Donald and Kelce swept the votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. It is the sixth All-Pro selection for Donald, who has helped the Los Angeles Rams to the top-ranked defense in the NFL, and the third for Kansas City’s record- setting Kelce.
Joining Donald and Kelce are 15 players returning to the squad, and 14 newcomers.
BROWNS FINALLY PRACTICING FOR PLAYOFFS >> The Browns can finally practice for the playoffs.
The team was granted permission Friday by the NFL to resume normal activities — by 2021 standards — at its training facility, which has been closed since Tuesday when coach Kevin Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19 along with Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and three others.
Women’s soccer
STANFORD’S MACARIO DECIDES TO GO PRO >> Stanford’s Catarina Macario, a promising prospect for the U.S. women’s national team, has announced she will forgo her senior season for a professional career.
The Brazilian-born midfielder is currently on the roster for the national team’s Januar y camp, which starts Saturday in Florida.
The two-time winner of the MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation’s best college player, Macario had a Stanford single-season record of 32 goals and 23 assists last season. She was called up to her first national team camp the same day she became a U.S. citizen.
College football
MICHIGAN DECIDES TO STICK WITH JIM HARBAUGH>> Michigan has decided to stick with coach Jim Harbaugh, finalizing a new, five-year deal.
The school will pay him $ 4 million per year and as much as $8 million annually if he meets certain benchmarks, according to a person familiar with the contract who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms were not immediately released.
The deal ends months of speculation about Harbaugh’s future. He could have potentially returned to the NFL or the school could have cut loose a coach with one year left on the seven-year contract paying him about $7 million per season that he signed after leaving the NFL.
Track and field
USA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELED >> The USA Track & Field indoor championships have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was scheduled to take place on Feb. 20-21 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The indoor combined events were also canceled. They were scheduled to be held in conjunction with the championships.
USATF assembled a working group of medical and scientific experts to work on protocols to safely hold the championships. But the group couldn’t overcome the statewide restrictions in New Mexico and other logistical issues.