Coronavirus

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has been diagnosed with coronavirus -- this just 3 days before the Tide's HUGE game against Georgia.

The school made the announcement Wednesday ... saying both Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne had tested positive and are immediately headed for quarantine.

Saban said in a statement he is displaying no symptoms as of this moment ... and is undergoing further tests to make sure his results were NOT a false-positive.

"I found out earlier this afternoon that I had tested positive for COVID-19," 68-year-old Saban said.

"I immediately left work and isolated at home. At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis."

"I informed our team of my positive test at 2 p.m. today on a Zoom call and let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations at the complex while I work from home."

Byrne also issued a statement saying, "We've been diligent about mask wearing and social distancing from the start and want to continue to encourage you all to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of this virus for yourself and those around you."

Of course, aside from the virus' potential effects on the two 'Bama employees ... the tests could have a drastic impact on the Tide's 2020 season.

Georgia is 3-0 and is widely considered Alabama's biggest threat to an SEC crown this season ... and playing the Bulldogs without Saban on the sidelines won't make getting a W any easier.

Barron Trump came down with coronavirus when his mom and dad did ... so says the First Lady.

Melania Trump posted an essay Wednesday on the WH site about her personal experience with battling COVID-19, which both she and her husband, Donald, contracted a couple weeks ago. She revealed that their 14-year-old, Barron, actually became infected as well.

She says that as soon as she was diagnosed as positive, her mind immediately went to Barron -- who, to her relief, tested negative at first. However, he came back with a positive shortly thereafter, but since then ... Melania says he too, like his folks, are now COVID-free.

The First Lady writes, "Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms. In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together. He has since tested negative."

The White House confirmed Barron's negative test, but appear to have kept any further testing/diagnoses on the low publicly ... until now, that is.

Melania doesn't get into Barron's specific treatment regimen, but she does touch on her own ... which was apparently vastly different than that of POTUS himself, who was admitted to the hospital for a bit and put on a number of medications, some of which are experimental.

Cam Newton is BAAAAACK!!!!

The New England Patriots have officially activated the QB from the reserve/COVID-19 list ... 12 days after he tested positive for the virus.

Newton was the first Pats player to test positive during the regular season when he popped on Oct. 2.

Newton immediately self-isolated and posted a message on IG saying he would use the time off to get healthy and self-reflect.

Newton missed the Oct. 5 matchup against the KC Chiefs -- a game the Patriots ultimately lost 26 to 10. Brian Hoyer got the start that game for the Pats but was later replaced by Jarrett Stidham.

Several Patriots players later tested positive for COVID after Cam, including practice squad player Bill Murray and star defensive back Stephon Gilmore.

In fact, things got so concerning the NFL postponed the Patriots vs. Broncos game, which was originally supposed to take place this past weekend ... but has since been moved to Oct. 18.

The Patriots are now scheduled to practice again Thursday and Cam is expected to retake his QB1 spot.

The timing couldn't be better for the Patriots -- they're 2-2 and looking to get back in the win column ASAP.

President Trump's voice sounds a little worse for wear, and it could be due to back-to-back rallies to flaunt his post-COVID condition ... or possibly the lingering effects of the virus.

POTUS was addressing the New York Economic Club at The White House Wednesday afternoon when he repeatedly cleared his throat ... and the hoarseness only got worse as he kept talking.

The focus of his message also seemed to worsen as he rambled ... but nothing really new there.

Of course, Trump's latest White House speech follows 2 straight nights of rallies in Pennsylvania and Florida. As we reported ... he held a massive rally in Sanford, FL Monday on the heels of announcing he'd tested negative for coronavirus twice.

During the rally, the Prez made claims he's immune to COVID now, and suggested he'd be down to kiss everyone in the audience. He made similar boasts and remarks Tuesday night in Johnstown, PA ... along with several other baseless claims.

You'll recall ... just over a week ago he struggled to breathe after being released from the hospital and climbing the WH stairs. Now, he's on stage acting like it was no biggie.

The NFL has officially canceled this season's Pro Bowl game due to COVID -- but the league is "reimagining" ways to celebrate the players.

The game was originally set to take place on Jan. 31 at the brand new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (home of the Raiders) ... but NFL officials ultimately decided it wasn't worth the risk.

The league will still allow fans, players and coaches to vote on Pro Bowl rosters -- but they just won't compete in a formal game.

Let's face it, the games aren't really that great anyway.

Instead of a game, the league says it will work with the NFLPA and other partners to "create a variety of engaging activities" for the players.

"This virtual recognition of the season's finest players will provide fans the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of their favorite stars."

As for concerns over the Super Bowl, the league says the big game is still on.

"The NFL and NFLPA's intention is to play a full regular and postseason schedule, culminating at the Super Bowl."

Unclear how the league will address fans, media and the traditional Super Bowl fan experience -- but they've got some time to figure that out.

As for Vegas, the NFL says they won't abandon the city -- announcing the 2022 Pro Bowl will take place at Allegiant Stadium.

The State of New York just dropped the hammer on the folks who organized the now-infamous Chainsmokers concert in the Hamptons this summer ... fining them, and making it harder for them to do it again.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday the promoters who put on the sold-out drive-in charity event in July are gonna be getting a bill soon to the tune of $20,000 ... this after the NY Department of Health conducted an investigation, and found wrongdoing.

Cuomo adds, "The Town of Southampton cannot approve permits for group gatherings without State approval." Southampton officials signed off on the concert ... supposedly, with coronavirus-safe regulations in mind, according to sources connected to the event.

The Gov. didn't see it as a safe environment at all, and after seeing video from the concert, said he was "appalled" at the "egregious" violations in social distancing. While we've been told the promoters feel the clips in question distorted things -- insisting it was, by and large, a safe gathering -- the State has spoken.

College kids attending Brigham Young University-Idaho might have intentionally contracted the coronavirus in order to sell their plasma containing antibodies ... and they're in big trouble if it's true.

The university has launched an investigation into reports of its students deliberately exposing themselves and others to COVID-19 with the hope of getting it, then getting paid for their antibody-rich plasma.

BYU-Idaho says it's "deeply troubled" by the allegations, adding it "condemns this behavior and is actively seeking evidence of any such conduct among our student body."

Students found to have engaged in this COVID-for-cash scheme will be suspended immediately and could be kicked out of school permanently ... according to the university.

It adds ... "The contraction and spread of COVID-19 is not a light matter. Reckless disregard for health and safety will inevitably lead to additional illness and loss of life in our community."

The school also warns that if coronavirus cases in the county and in Idaho continue to trend upward ... it may be forced to go to full-time remote learning.

One of the biggest games of the college football weekend may be in trouble ... because the Florida Gators have paused all activities due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Gators are scheduled to host the defending champ LSU Tigers on Saturday ... but 19 players and staffers have tested positive over the past few days, according to the Independent Florida Alligator.

Florida AD Scott Stricklin released a statement on the decision to halt all activities ... saying it's "out of an abundance of caution."

"Head coach Dan Mullen has been in communication with football players and their parents, and I have had conversations with the Southeastern Conference office, last week's opponent Texas A&M, and this week's opponent LSU."

He continues ... "These circumstances will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department's sports medicine staff Wednesday."

The news comes on the heels of Mullen calling for the school to allow "The Swamp" to be at full, 90,000-seat capacity when the Tigers come to town ... claiming fans in the crowd was a big factor in the team's loss at Texas A&M last week.

As for the Aggies ... the team has reported zero new cases since facing off against the Gators last weekend.

So far, the LSU game is still on as of Wednesday morning ... but as we all know, that could change quick.

Story developing ...

PGA superstar Dustin Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19 ... forcing the golfer to withdraw from this weekend's PGA tournament in Vegas.

36-year-old Johnson says he experienced symptoms -- and immediately alerted PGA Tour officials so he could be tested.

Obviously, the results came back positive for coronavirus which means he won't participate in the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek golf course this week.

Johnson had been the betting favorite this week over guys like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm.

"Obviously, I am very disappointed," Johnson said ... "I was really looking forward to competing this week, but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible."

"I have already had a few calls with the TOUR’s medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me."

Johnson is the 2nd PGA Tour pro to come down with COVID in the past week -- following Tony Finau, who tested positive during PGA Tour on-site testing protocols while gearing up for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.

Cristiano Ronaldo -- arguably the most famous athlete in the world -- has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Portuguese Football Association.

He's already been sent away from the team so he can self-quarantine at his home.

The PFA issued a statement saying Ronaldo "is doing well, without symptoms." PFA did not say exactly WHEN Ronaldo tested positive.

Ronaldo's teammates were all retested after CR7's positive result -- with no new positives. The rest of the team will continue to train as usual to prep for Wednesday's game against Sweden in Portugal.

What's concerning is a photo Ronaldo posted on social media Monday, showing him crowded around a table with his Portugal teammates.

No one in the photo is wearing a mask or social distancing.

35-year-old Ronaldo played all 90 minutes when Portugal took on France on Sunday in France.

Only 1,000 fans were allowed inside the Stade de France to watch the game. The stadium typically holds around 80,000 people.

Ronaldo also played against Spain last week.

One of the big issues ... medical experts say it can take between 2 and 14 days for someone infected with COVID to show symptoms.

In other words, it's probably not safe to assume his teammates are all out of the woods yet. And, the decision to push forward and practice and play could lead to disaster.

President Trump is on his way to address thousands of his supporters in the flesh and without a mask ... only a few hours after his doctors announced he's tested negative for COVID-19.

Trump boarded Air Force One Monday on his way to a massive rally in Sanford, Florida. The rally will be his first since revealing on October 1 he'd tested positive for the coronavirus.

Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany shared a memo from Trump's physician just after AF1 took off which said Trump had tested negative on consecutive days.

The memo stated the result was derived from a series of lab tests and other data that indicated a "lack of detectable viral replication."

It ends by saying the results have, "informed our medical team's assessment that the President is not infectious to others." The memo does not say when Trump tested negative, but it's good news for all those folks gathered in Florida to greet him.

FL Governor Ron DeSantis is also attending Monday's rally and was spotted without a mask, offering up high fives to the crowd.

Buckle up, America ... 3 weeks to go!

Great news from legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden ... the Hall of Famer says he's "doing great" while receiving treatment for COVID-19.

As we previously reported, the 90-year-old tested positive last week after being hospitalized with a skin infection ... and was readmitted to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare on Tuesday to get care for the virus.

Bowden -- who won 2 national titles with the Seminoles -- gave an update to the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday ... saying he's improving by the day.

"I am sure (God) answered a prayer," Bowden said. "I do feel better. I am doing good. I appreciate everyone's thoughts, I really do."

As for his symptoms, Bowden says they weren't too serious ... and he's now waiting on the results of his most recent test.

"You get fever, you get frustrated, you don't feel good and you wonder if you were able to get up," he said.

"But, now that's behind me. I took another (COVID-19) test ... I can't go home until that's cleared."

Bowden's wife, Ann, told the outlet she's confident the coach can get cleared to leave the hospital soon.

"We are hoping by the end of the week they tell him he can come home," Ann said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is pushing back on Donald Trump in a big way, calling shenanigans on a new campaign ad that makes it look like the good Doc is endorsing the Prez.

The Trump campaign just released a new ad called "Carefully," in which they describe POTUS recovering from the virus, like so many other Americans are also doing and have already done.

The spot lists Trump's alleged achievements and the screen flashes to a soundbite from a Fauci interview, in which he says "I can't imagine that ... anybody could be doing more." This makes it seem like AF was talking about DT, but that's not the case.

Fauci came out and said the Trump administration used this segment without his permission -- but, more importantly, they took his words out of context. He adds, "In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate."

These comments are actually from an interview he did with FOX News' Mark Levin, in which he praised federal health officials and the Trump administration's coronavirus task force on how they were responding to the pandemic -- which he characterized as "impressive" and "all hands on deck." So, not a Trump compliment ... tangential at best.

Forget leaving room for Jesus at your school dances -- apparently, in Europe, they're turning spacing rules for young couples on their head for COVID ... or on their back, rather.

Check out this video of what's been described as a high school prom in what many are saying must be the Czech Republic (because of the language the MC is using). As you can see, kids are definitely back on campus, and they're even hosting traditional events again.

Thing is, there's nothing traditional about how the students are busting a move -- especially for the slow dance section. They're all back-to-back, locking arms ... and wearing masks. How romantic!!!

Unclear which school this is exactly, but we'll say this ... kudos for creativity, 'cause there's a vast number of ways officials could've rolled out the new dance regulations, and a lot of them probably would've been more restrictive than this. At least here, there's still contact.

Donald Trump says he now has a "protective glow" ... his way of saying he somehow has immunity from coronavirus.

Trump appeared on Maria Bartiromo's FNC show, "Sunday Morning Futures" and said he believes he now has immunity from the virus. He did not say if his tests are now negative for COVID. It's possible his doctors were able to measure the level of COVID in his system and make such a determination, but his doctors have been mum for nearly a week.

The President's planning trips to battleground states on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, starting with Florida. As we reported, he hosted an event Saturday on the South Lawn of the White House.

Trump tried shading Joe Biden on the show, saying, "It seems like I'm immune, so I can go way out of a basement." Fact is ... Biden's been out of his basement for weeks. He's been able to campaign because he's been wearing masks and socially distancing so he didn't get COVID and land in the hospital.

Trump's attitude toward his COVID treatment has alarmed doctors and scientists, who believe he continues to send an incorrect, dangerous message about the perils of COVID. Trump, who called the virus a "blessing from God," has been a terrible patient ... leaving his hospital bed for a drive-by rally, going back to the White House without wearing a mask, working in the Oval Office rather than self-isolating, holding a rally on the South Lawn, and on and on.