FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Georgia Bulldogs are in South Florida preparing for the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Michigan Wolverines.
But with a lot on the line this week and the omicron variant surge, the team is working with strict COVID-19 protocols.
“COVID is definitely going back up right now and it’s getting crazy. So they’re just stressing us to be safe and make good decisions,” cornerback Chris Smith said.
Channel 2 is the official TV station of the Georgia Bulldogs. Watch LIVE reports every day on Channel 2 Action News at Noon, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. as we count down to the Orange Bowl kickoff on Friday.
One of the perks of bowl week is the activities the bowl committee sets up for the teams. For the Orange Bowl, the activities include trips to the beach and dinner cruises.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, all activities outside of practice are optional with the No. 1 priority being the team’s health and safety.
“We are excited to be in Miami, but it’s a hot spot for COVID. We will continue to wear our masks and be safe,” defensive end Jordan Davis said.
Currently, at least five bowl games have been canceled. Under the new playoff rules, a team that doesn’t have enough players for their semifinal game because of COVID-19 issues will forfeit.
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The Georgia players say they are doing everything they possibly can to be safe. All interviews are being done virtually via a Zoom and UGA practice on Monday was closed off to the media and public.
Defensive back Lewis Cine said he thinks 98% or 99% of the team is vaccinated. Smith said the coaches continue to preach what they have said all year long.
“COVID is pretty much everywhere right now. So we can’t really dodge it or anything like that,” Smith said.
“But things we can do as players, coaches and as a whole team is just try to be safe. They are just reiterating the fact that we need to be safe, wear masks, wash your hands and make sure we don’t have a breakout.”
Defensive players completed their interviews Monday. The offensive players will conduct their interviews on Tuesday, including Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.
Quarterback JT Daniels did not travel with the team Sunday after he tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
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