Sports and Business News: June 15th 

Zeke Tests Positive for COVID-19

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has tested positive for the coronavirus according to the NFL Network. 

The agent of the 24-year old rusher says Elliott is “feeling good.” The news of Elliott’s positive test results comes on the heels of other news outlets reporting both the Cowboys and Texans, both of which play in Texas, have several players that tested positive for COVID-19. 

This comes after Texas reported a record high number of hospitalizations on Sunday with 2,287. That’s an increase from 2,242 cases reported on Saturday. Despite the increase, Texas is still moving forward with its reopening plan. Restaurants were allowed to expand eating-in dining to 75% capacity from 50% capacity. Texas has over 87,000 cases. 

According to reports, both teams are following the proper health guidelines and neither team allowed any players inside their training facility.

Back in May, the NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills told the media the NFL, “expects that we will have positive cases that arise….Our challenge is to identify them as quickly as possible and prevent spread to any other participants.” 

Cowboys Linebacker Jaylon Smith Teams up With Texas Governor for PSA

The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, and his office reached out to Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith and together they released a new Public Service Announcement to raise awareness of the importance of wearing a mask. The PSA called, "Wear a Mask On and Off the Field” was accompanied by a video of Smith holding a cowboys helmet and facemask. 

In the video, Smith says it is “crucial we all do our part in this fight against COVID-19” and advises people to continue to wash their hands, practice social distancing, and of course…wear a mask."

Just a bit of irony in Smith's PSA considering several of his own teammates, including Elliott mentioned above, tested positive for COVID-19.

Under Armour came out with an athletic “sportsmask” last week and it sold out within an hour according to CEO Patrick Frisk. Under armor is selling the mask for $30 and claims it is reusable, water-resistant, and has maximum breathability. 

Daily Coronavirus Update

There are 7.9 million cases of the virus worldwide, with over 434,000 deaths. In the U.S., there are 2.1 million cases with over 115,000 deaths. Brazil has 867,000 cases with over 43,000 deaths. 

The Food and Drug Administration withdrew its emergency authorization of two malaria drugs to treat COVID-19. The FDA said that these two drugs: hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, are “unlikely to be effective” in treating COVID-19. 

President Trump has been promoting hydroxychloroquine following some small studies that have been noted to have been poorly controlled. The President also said that he took hydroxychloroquine. The withdrawal of emergency use authorization comes after the F.D.A issued a warning that the drugs could cause heart arrhythmias.