Former Fresno State football star loses an uncle to coronavirus
The uncle of former Fresno State star running back Michael Pittman has died.
ESPN’S Jenna Laine shared the news Saturday afternoon on Twitter that Pittman’s uncle, Sherman Pittman, died from the coronavirus. He was 61.
Sherman Pittman had been in the hospital since March 5 and was in a coma after contracting COVID-19.
Pittman, who played 11 seasons in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos, told Lane about his uncle because he wanted to “increase awareness about the dangers of coronavirus.”
In total, there are more than 660,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The U.S. has more confirmed cases than any other country, passing China and Italy this week with 124,000.
Health officials have urged the public to avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick.
The virus is spread mainly by person-to-person contact.
Pittman sent out a thank you through Laine and said he appreciated all the prayers his family received.
