NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. claims he’s immune to COVID-19 because there is a “mutual respect” between himself and the coronavirus.
“Not in an arrogant way,” the Cleveland Browns wide receiver said to reporters this week when asked about the contagion, per CBS Sports. “I don’t think COVID can get to me. I don’t think it’s going to enter this body,” said Beckham.
“I don’t want no parts of it, it don’t want no parts of me,” he added. “It’s a mutual respect.”
Read More: Odell Beckham Jr. says it doesn’t make sense to have an NFL season
Beckham Jr. caught major heat on social media over his controversial comments, which come two months after he made clear that the NFL should not hold the 2020 season amid the pandemic. He shared his thoughts about the matter with the Wall Street Journal.
“We’re not ready for football season. So why are we trying to push forward? It’s obviously for their money. And that bothers me because there’s always been this—and I hate saying it like that—but the owners’ [attitude is], ‘Oh we own you guys,’ and just kind of that unfairness going on that they don’t see us as human,” he said. “I just feel like the season shouldn’t happen and I’m prepared for it to not happen and I wouldn’t mind not having it.”
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He also noted the difference between playing football versus basketball in the age of COVID.
“I can understand basketball was already in the playoffs. Five-on-five basketball in an arena is going to be more intense than regular-season games. Hooping is different than playing an eleven-on-eleven contact sport where there’s 80 people in a locker room,” Beckham said.
Meanwhile, due to coronavirus concerns, NFL players from over 20 teams reportedly opted out of the 2020 season.
The league recently announced eight players and eleven staffers have tested positive for the virus.
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