Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jaden Mitchell announced on Twitter Monday morning that he was one of three UA football players who tested positive for COVID-19.
Mitchell, a redshirt freshman from Las Vegas, who appeared in one game last season for the Wildcats, said the coronavirus and four-week quarantine period had a significant impact on his physical and mental health.
"As someone who had COVID for three weeks and had to quarantine for four weeks, this virus is no joke," said Mitchell. "I lost 14 pounds and I'm still working on gaining it back and reconditioning myself."
Mitchell commended the UA medical staff and said, "Arizona has done a great job of making us feel safe and taken care of," but also added, "Even though they did everything they could, being in a room or house for 28 days had a great impact on my body and mental health."
My statement. #WeAreUnited #BearDown pic.twitter.com/PrP6ZbFInL
— Jaden Mitchell (@jadenmitch_) August 3, 2020
Mitchell's latest experience led him to voice his opinion on the seriousness of COVID-19 and how much he and other teammates are at risk when playing football this season.
"The fact of the matter is that if the virus gets ahold of you and you experience the symptoms, it will have a great impact on you," he said. "There are so many possibilities in a sport where 100-plus people are in a locker room, 70-plus players travel — add on coaches, staff, trainers and more, I don't see how that will work.
"We are physically touching each other every single snap. On top of that, we are getting paid $0 risking out health of people's entertainment; People who have — and never will — step foot on the field."
Despite the Pac-12 players movement to boycott the conference if it doesn't improve COVID-19 protections, address racial injustice, redistribute a portion of conference revenue to athletes, offer six-year athletic and extend medical coverage to six years after college, Mitchell said he loves playing football "more than life itself" and will not opt out of the season.
"But I do need players, coaches, fans and everyone to realize the severity of the pandemic, but also the injustice."
