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Former Spartan Brian Allen first NFL player to test positive for COVID-19

Los Angeles Ram center is the first known player to contract the virus

April 16, 2020
Former MSU center Brian Allen speaks to the media at the NFL Combine on March 1, 2018, at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Allen was an offensive All Big Ten selection last season.
Former MSU center Brian Allen speaks to the media at the NFL Combine on March 1, 2018, at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Allen was an offensive All Big Ten selection last season. —
Photo by Matt Schmucker | The State News

Los Angeles Rams center and former Spartan Brian Allen has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

The news of Allen contracting the virus came Wednesday evening on Glazer's Fox Sports 1 program "Fox Football Now." He is the first confirmed case among NFL players.

According to Glazer, Allen tested positive for the virus three weeks ago and again last week. Starting with a loss of taste and smell, Allen’s symptoms turned flu-like. 

Allen informed Glazer that he has since become asymptomatic aside from not yet regaining his taste and smell. He expects to get cleared from the doctors on Thursday.

Allen’s brothers Jack and Matt Allen are home in Hinsdale, Illinois. Matt Allen, a current redshirt senior offensive lineman for the Spartans, has said previously that Brian stayed in California to rehab during his offseason.

Jack and Matt have spent their time in quarantine training multiple times a week, as Matt prepares for his final season at Michigan State and Jack navigates free agency, most recently spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.

After leaving Michigan State, Brian was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has spent the last two years as a rotational center in Los Angeles.

While Allen news is the first public instance of an NFL player contracting the virus, he is returning to better health.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told Glazer on "Fox Football Now" that Allen is “healthy and he’s on the road to recovery."

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