Bill Cowher and wife test positive for coronavirus, feels good about Hall of Fame induction, but he questions whether or not the 2020 season will take place


Bill Cowher and wife Veronica

In an interview this week, former Steelers Coach Bill Cowher admitted that he and his wife had contracted the coronavirus when on a trip earlier this year,

Cowher told The Athletic that he and his wife, singer Veronica Stigeler -- known by the stage name Queen V -- weren't tested for the virus when they were affected with symptoms in March but that they did test positive for antibodies a month later.

The couple first realized something was wrong when they lost their sense of smell and taste after returning from a trip to Honolulu, a last-minute change from their originally planned trip to visit Cowher's daughter, Lindsay, and son-in-law, Ryan Kelly, in Tokyo. Kelly, a former NBA player, was playing in Japan's B League when the league suspended play in early March.

On the way back, they flew through Newark Liberty International Airport and went to dinner in New York City before restaurants began closing. After that, Cowher told The Athletic, he and his wife began experiencing what would eventually be telltale coronavirus symptoms. In addition to the loss of smell and taste, both had shaky joints. Cowher had a slight fever, and his wife had a dry cough.

"I think I got it in New York and all the traveling, people coming into Newark airport at the same time," Cowher told The Athletic. "That's when the virus came from Europe and there was no shutdown. We were out in New York that weekend as well in a few restaurants. Who knows? There were people in Honolulu coming from China, and in Newark they were coming from Europe."

Brooke Pryor, “Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher tested 
positive for the coronavirus,” ESPN, July 1, 2020

Cowher not sure about 2020 season
In the interview, Cowher said that he has misgivings about whether or not a season can take place. While he and his wife recovered from their Covid 19 episode, as a former coach, he understands the complexity of what it taking place,

Currently a studio analyst for "The NFL Today" on CBS, Cowher said that he isn't sure whether or not the NFL will be able to have a full season in 2020. Cowher mimicked what current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin recently said as it relates to the league needing to make sure that every team is operating under a consistent set of guidelines during this uncertain time. 

"No. 1, the players have to feel comfortable with whatever they come up with from a testing standpoint, from a protocol standpoint," Cowher said. "I totally understand the reluctance. Even though they say young people aren't getting it, you also have people who have asthma, people who have underlying conditions in their families — they're going back to their homes with parents who may now be elderly. It's not like you can isolate yourself from everybody, particularly during a season that's five months long. …

"I still think we have a long way to go. It's going to come down to the league and the NFLPA feeling comfortable moving forward, and even within that, if they come up with a set of guidelines, and now a player who doesn't feel comfortable, he may not want to be part of it. It affects people differently not only from a physical standpoint but from a mental standpoint. … I think we have to respect that."

Bryan DeArdo, “Bill Cowher opens up about having the coronavirus, the possibility 
of the NFL having a full season in 2020,” CBS Sports, July 1, 2020

No Hall of Fame induction this year

Another sad part of this narrative of 2020 is that the NFL Hall of Fame induction that included former Steeler superstar Troy Polamalu and Cowher will not take place,

Cowher said he is "kind of relieved" that the Pro Football Hall of Fame has decided to postpone this year's festivities. Cowher, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach from 1992-06, is part of the 20-member 2020 induction class that will now be inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 7, 2021, a day before the 2021 induction class. 

"As much as you want to be reflective and talk about the people who were so instrumental in your life, now is not the time, not just with COVID-19 but with the social justice issues. These are very transparent times and it's so fluid. The Hall of Fame needs to be reflective. I'm glad it's still going to be Dallas and Pittsburgh playing, which is great. I think right now it's just hard to really think about anything celebratory when the country is in the state it is.

Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports, July 1, 2020

So, the coronavirus has affected more than just the country. It has affected the athletics that many people crave to help them get through tough times.

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