Memphis pauses football activities due to COVID-19 outbreak on team
The University of Memphis announced Friday it is pausing all football activities after "a number of individuals connected with the Tigers' football program" tested positive for COVID-19.
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) September 11, 2020
The school's athletics department said the majority of cases are linked to "social events" not connected to football activities.
The Tigers faced Arkansas State in their season opener last Saturday.
At least 20 people in the program tested positive, and the outbreak is linked to a party bus used by members of the team after their win last weekend, a source told Evan Barnes and Mark Giannotto of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
However, Tigers defensive lineman O'Bryan Goodson disputes the story.
Lies Dog! Nobody Had A Party Nor Was On A Party Bus!! Arkansas St needs to be the ones Tested❗️ We’ve been doing what we’re supposed to do , all this came after we played them! https://t.co/5YPJBw2Dx4
— OB Goodson Jr. #️⃣1️⃣ (@OBryanGoodson) September 11, 2020
The Tigers are supposed to open conference play against Houston next Friday. The status of that game will be determined after Memphis consults with the AAC's COVID-19 medical advisory group.