Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M pulls out of Gator Bowl due to COVID-19

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/22/21

Texas A&M will not participate in the Gator Bowl because of a COVID outbreak within the team, SI.com first reported on Wednesday.

The Aggies were slated to travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to face off against No. 17 Wake Forest and were planning to start practicing for that game on Dec. 26 following the Christmas holiday. SI reported via TexAgs that operations have actually been shut down since last Saturday because of the outbreak.

The full press release from Texas A&M Athletics regarding the Aggies’ decision to not participate in the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: pic.twitter.com/IwjbdGsm4e
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) December 22, 2021

"It is heartbreaking for our coaches, staff, and fans that we are not able to play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl," Ross Bjork, Texas A&M director of athletics, said in a release. "Post-season football is the pinnacle of the season and when the opportunity is lost, it hurts on many levels..."

Per Aggie AD Ross Bjork:
A&M is currently down to just 38 scholarship position players and the Ags have just 13 available scholarship players available on defense. That includes Covid, opts outs, transfers and season-ending injuries.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) December 22, 2021

Wake Forest is reportedly still willing to play if another team becomes available due to the opponent also withdrawing.

Because of a COVID outbreak, Texas A&M is unable to play in the Gator Bowl, sources tell @SINow. Aggies don’t have enough available players.

Gator is searching for a replacement bowl team, sources say, but the only way that's possible is if another bowl is impacted.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 22, 2021

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