Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert, whose coronavirus diagnosis last Wednesday was the first domino that effectively shut down American sports, regrets not having taken the threat more seriously, he said in a social media post Sunday.
"I've been feeling a little better every single day," the 27-year-old Frenchman said on the National Basketball Association (NBA) twitter feed.
Gobert, who was diagnosed with the virus two days after playfully touching reporters' microphones and recorders at the end of a news conference, has pledged to donate a total of $500,000 for arena employees in Utah and Oklahoma City, as well as overall COVID-19 relief in his home country of France, the team announced Saturday.
"I wish I would have took this thing more seriously, and I hope everyone else will do so," he said Sunday.
News of Gobert's diagnosis minutes before the scheduled tip-off of a game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder led to the surreal scene of a member of the Thunder's medical staff running onto the court to tell the referees, while the players were warming up.
The officials then consulted both coaches in a huddle for several minutes before sending the players back to the locker room, the game canceled.
Gobert was not at the stadium.
The NBA that night suspended the entire league, and within 36 hours nearly every major American sport had followed suit, including the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, the PGA and LPGA Tours, and NCAA college basketball.
A second Utah player, Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for coronavirus last Thursday.
"I know there are countless ways that people have been impacted," Gobert said, per the Jazz's official announcement of his donation. "These donations are a small token that reflect my appreciation and support for all those impacted and are the first of many steps I will take to try and make a positive difference, while continuing to learn more about COVID-19 and educate others."
Per the Jazz's announcement, Gobert's donation will provide $200,000 in aid to part-time employees at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City who are not able to work due to the postponement of NBA games. He will also pledge $100,000 to assist families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Utah and Oklahoma City plus 100,000 euros for his native France.
Gobert also issued an apology on Instagram.
"I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours," Gobert wrote. "I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis . . . mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment.
"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously. I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus. I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy. Love."
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