Opt-out list growing
New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has opted out of playing the 2020 NFL season. A two-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time Super Bowl winner in eight seasons with New England, he becomes one of the more accomplished players to choose against playing this season as teams open their training camps amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hightower, 30, confirmed the decision in a message to the NFL Network in which he said:
“Me and my fiancee are just more concerned with the health of our family than football — especially the new addition to our family.” Hightower has a son born earlier this month. Other Patriots players to opt out reportedly include running back Brandon Bolden, tackle Marcus Cannon, safety Patrick Chung, guard Najee Toran and fullback Danny Vitale. Cannon was diagnosed non-Hodgkins’ lymphoma and it is believed that he will qualify for the high-risk opt-out. Under the opt-out rules in the agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, any player can choose to opt out of the season and receive a $150,000 stipend. A player deemed at high risk because of medical factors receives a stipend of $350,000. Other NFL players confirmed or reported to be opting out of the season include Washington defensive lineman Caleb Brantley, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, Chicago Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Devin Funchess, Denver Broncos defensive end Kyle Peko, Houston Texans defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, New Orleans Saints tight end Cole Wick, Seattle Seahawks guard Chance Warmack, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Maurice Canady, Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Andre Smith and Ravens wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas. Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a medical-school graduate who worked this offseason as an orderly at a long-term care facility in Canada, became the first NFL player to opt out when he announced his decision Friday night.