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Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN
BUFFALO (N.Y.) Buffalo BillsOffensive lineman Dion DawkinsHe was admitted to hospital for the COVID-19 infection.
Prior to the first practice camp, on July 28, the team’s starting tackle was on the reserve/COVID-19 roster. It was activated August 12, 2012. Dawkins was distraught.
He said, “I didn’t think I could go that low. I am so animated.” That hit all parts of me, and it was hard to believe that that could happen.
The hardest thing was being in hospital.
Dawkins claimed that he had dealt with symptoms such as shortness, fever, chills and coughing.
Two-time father said that he didn’t know where to start in terms of vaccine and virus information. However, he decided to get vaccinated as he wanted to “do what was right” considering the premature birth of his son, whose lungs were still developing.
His positive results came in the following two weeks, after he had received his second dose of the vaccine.
He said, “I wish that I had been fully vaccinated. If I were fully (vaccinated), I probably would have found it a lot easier.” Do what you feel comfortable doing. It doesn’t matter what you do, just research it and be open to the possibility that others will go through this differently.
Dawkins claimed that the first reaction of his teammates to his return was shock at his loss of 16 pounds. His teammates asked him for the truth about his experience with the virus and he was happy to share it with them.
He stated that he wanted to emphasize the fact that they didn’t want to go to the exact point where he was during his time with the team.
Dawkins said that he also spoke to Bills’ receiver Cole BeasleyHe was vocally against the vaccination and the NFL rules regarding unvaccinated or vaccinated athletes. Beasley, he called Beasley “brother”, but he did not downplay the importance of the vaccine or virus.
After being activated from the reserve list, Dawkins was re-joined last week by the team for conditioning. Sean McDermott of the Bills stated Monday that Dawkins has some work to do before he is ready to participate.
McDermott stated that McDermott is not near the place he should be in order to help and play for us. McDermott said that he has a long road ahead of him. We’re going to just… he will control what he has control of, as are we. You have to keep working hard for him to return to the place he is. This is week 4 of training camp, and he has missed quite a bit of time.
Dawkins claimed that he didn’t know how bad he felt as a professional athlete who was hospitalized by COVID-19. But, his personal experience made it possible for several family members to be vaccinated.
Buffalo last offseason signed Dawkins to an extension worth four years and $68 millions. For each of his four NFL years, he has been Bills’ starting left tackle.