Patriots Patrick Chung Responds to Critics of His Decision to Opt-Out

The New England Patriots won’t have Patrick Chung in the upcoming season. Chung decided to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season for safety reasons. His wife is pregnant and Chung won’t join his teammates to protect his newborn child and his lady. Well, some fans didn’t really like this, and Chung was hit with an unhealthy dose of criticism.

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This Just In: Patriots S Patrick Chung is opting out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns, per @mikereisspatriots. Chung, 32, becomes the sixth Patriots player to opt out, joining LB Dont'a Hightower, RT Marcus Cannon, FB Danny Vitale, RB Brandon Bolden, and C/G Najee Toran. #nfl #nflnews #nfllive #nflupdates #nflnow #nflnetwork #espn #espnnews #sports #sport #football #exercise #breakingnews #breaking #game #news #fantasyfootball #fantasysports #trending #nike #underarmour #update #fantasy #thisjustin #nflbreakingnews #breakingnews?#patriots #newenglandpatriots #patrickchung #covid19

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Chung is the sixth player to opt-out of the upcoming season. New England has the most players in the league who have made this decision. Several players in other teams have made the same decision. Chicago Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Marquise Goodwin won’t join the teams in September.

Spare us the pious lectures, they get paid millions to play a game. I would live to stay home for my family but I can’t

— MannieFreshHeatstheBooth (@MannieMostel) July 28, 2020

Chung and Dont’a Hightower have the same reasons to opt-out of 2020. Chung and his lady are expecting a child. Hightower’s son was born on July 16. Well, some fans didn’t really like the idea of seeing these two out of the field.

Another example of why half the league’s coaches and execs get replaced every few years. Knee-buckling dopiness. https://t.co/zbWfycV5HI

— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) July 28, 2020

The Patriots support Patrick Chung

Chung couldn’t just sit calm and do nothing. He fired back at one of his fans. Well, his Instagram post is deleted now. Chung screen captured a message from a fan that read “if us “regular” people have to work, you should to.” The talented Patriot responded, “excuse me for wanting to have a safe child.” There were several other things, but Chung deleted the post before anyone could screen capture the horrible exchange.

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Makes sense #DontaHightower #PatrickChung #MarcusCannon #BillBelichick #Gilmore #Lawrence #NFL #Patriots #Panthers #Packers #Bengals #Bills #Broncos #Ravens #Rams #Raiders #Titans #Vikings #Falcons #Dolphins #Chiefs #Cowboys #Giants #Jaguars #Eagles #Jets #49ers #Seahawks #Steelers #Saints

A post shared by GoatGear.US (@goatgear.us) on Jul 28, 2020 at 10:21am PDT

This fan wasn’t the only person to say something like this. Another fan shared a similar message in his exchange with Tom Curran from NBC Sports Boston.

Patrick Chung also opting out, according to @MikeReiss.

Many Patriots veterans have rings and $$$ … not many teams around the league can say same. Would seem to make sense why they might have more than others. https://t.co/54Lhj7zIwx

— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) July 28, 2020

There are so many theories behind these moves, and some say that head coach Bill Belichick has orchestrated a mass opt-out initiative to tank the season for Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence in 2021. Yes, people are willing to go that far.

Things look really awkward at this point and the Patriots will have to make a few chances and moves to win games in 2020. Belichick is entering a big season and this will be his first season without Tom Brady. How will the Patriots play in the upcoming season?