Steelers Pro Bowler David DeCastro never considered opting out, ‘not afraid’ of health risks

The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of only three teams that did not have a single player opt out of playing this season, as is permitted in 2020 by the NFL out of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the Steelers’ highest-paid and longest-tenured players said he didn’t give sitting out the season all that much thought.

“I’ve always had that mindset of just being all in,” Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro said Monday during a video conference call with media. “Football being No. 1, it’s almost sort of a religious experience, plus that gift for myself. I love the game. I always have. It’s done so much for me. You can’t really think about the money and whatnot when you’re playing. You just have to be all about football, attacking that day and having that routine. It just makes life a lot easier.”

DeCastro, who is entering his ninth NFL season, said he has not changed his personal routine during the covid-19 pandemic. The league and his team have dramatically altered the day-to-day minutia of training camp and the layout of their facilities. But DeCastro’s at-home, family life is largely being conducted as normal.

“I’ll be honest, I’m not too afraid,” he said. “That’s just my personal opinion of it. I haven’t really done anything to — I don’t know really much what you can do if it’s worth taking those risks to completely isolate yourself. To me, I don’t really see that as beneficial. I’d rather be with my kids and family and take that risk. I haven’t changed that at all.”

Steelers All Pro G David DeCastro, on why he’s playing this season despite all the... stuff... associated with making doing so so difficult— pic.twitter.com/oou3rvYvXs

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 10, 2020

The only allowance DeCastro gave regarding consideration for opting out of the season or protecting himself wasn’t a virus concern but one related to money and bodily injury.

DeCastro noted that a player who suffers a serious injury during training camp or even during an early-season game, he would only be eligible for a prorated portion of his salary should a season be canceled at some juncture. It’s possible that, hypothetically, a serious injury during practice next week would end a player’s career for the end of prepping for a season that never happens and for which he would not get paid his salary at all.

“There’s really no way to structure with the money and whatnot and uncertainty of the guys playing,” DeCastro said. “That definitely weighs in your mind. You’re taking a lot of risk going out there. You get hurt, and we don’t get the full season. You don’t get the full salary. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve thought about as far as the financial ramifications of playing and the chance of the season not playing out.

“You know, at the same time, I think a lot of the guys are just going to (work). I like having the routine of playing football. I don’t know what I would do without it. Even though that thought crosses your mind, I think in reality, a lot of guys are just kind of going with the flow.”

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