Brian Allen of LA Rams Becomes 1st Known NFL Player with COVID-19

The first active NFL player to test positive for the novel coronavirus is revealed three weeks after his diagnosis, and Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer who shared the news now, faces a fair amount of backlash.

On Wednesday night's edition of "Fox Football Now," Jay Glazer reported that Los Angeles Rams player Brain Allen tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago, which Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed during the program.

Jay Glazer, who teased about the news in advance, said that he had talked to Brain that morning - who told him that he first experienced symptoms of the virus "about three weeks ago." Recalling Brain's words to him, Jay said:

"First thing he said was, 'I woke up three weeks ago, I couldn't smell anything. All I could feel was texture in my mouth, literally the only sense I had.'"

During Brain's rookie season out of Michigan State in 2018, he came in as a fourth-round pick for the Rams and played 13 games with no starts. This year, Brain played nine games before an MCL injury placed him on reserve.

According to Jay, Brain periodically experienced fatigue, headaches, a sore throat, and stiffness, and he said that it felt, unlike any flu he had ever had. Following "three or four days" of symptoms, Brain had himself tested - which came back positive.

The second time Brain had himself tested last week; it came back positive again. But according to his doctors, the fact that he had it for so long should give him the "all clear" on Thursday.

"I talked to him yesterday, and I'm really glad to hear that he's feeling good, he's healthy, and he's on the road to recovery," Jay elaborated. "I think we all understand that the severity of what this has meant for some people -- fortunately for Brian, he's on the road to recovery."

However, the reporting of his diagnosis weeks after the fact didn't sit well with viewers - who expressed their misgivings about the way Jay handled the news in no uncertain terms, as one netizen wrote:

"The fact that Jay Glazer actually used someone’s COVID 19 case to grab for ratings is pitiful and he should be ashamed of himself."

The sentiment was shared by other fans as well - who noted that Jay's actions came across as insensitive, as another Twitter user commented:

Despite the controversial reveal, Brain is reportedly "doing great," and the Rams trainer told reporters the day after Brain's diagnosis became public that the whole team is glad that he is on the road to recovery.

Similarly, NBA Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert became the first basketball player to be diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, and he returned to his workout schedule early this month after shaking the virus.

Rudy underwent weeks of treatment, and he has been medically cleared. However, since his diagnosis, ten NBA players tested positive for the disease.