Giants OL Nate Solder opts out of 2020 NFL season

As had been expected, New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder won't feature for the club if the NFL season is played amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 32-year-old veteran left tackle, who has been open for years about his son's battle with cancer, confirmed on Wednesday he has elected to opt out of playing.

In a statement shared by the Giants, Solder said:

"My family and I have been praying, wrestling and listening to God about our current circumstances and whether it is best that I play football this season. Our primary goal is to pursue God and listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do. As hard as that can be and as daunting as what He asks us to do can seem, we have come to believe, trust and wait on the Lord. That is why we have chosen to pause for this season. 

"Our family has health concerns, most notably our son's ongoing battle with cancer, as well as my own bout with cancer. We also welcomed a new addition to our family this spring, a baby boy. With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep our priorities in order and, for us, our children's health and the health of our neighbors comes before football.

"We fully recognize that being able to make a decision like this is a privilege. I will deeply miss my teammates, coaches and everyone in the Giants organization. I want to thank them and all my friends and fans who continue to support me and my family through the highs and the lows. As scary and bleak as it sometimes can be, we know that the God of the universe has all things under His control, and His plans are and will always be for our good."

Solder's decision is final per an agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association.

The tackle won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots before he signed with the Giants in March 2018. New York head coach Joe Judge, who worked with Solder in New England when Judge was an assistant, also offered a statement: 

"I spoke with Nate this morning. We were together in New England, obviously, and he has always been a thoughtful, conscientious person. Ultimately, he made this decision because it is the right thing for him and his family. We support Nate and Lexi and their children (son) Hudson, (daughter) Charlie and (son) Emerson. Our concern is for their health and well-being."

Five-year-old Hudson was diagnosed with a rare Wilms tumor in both kidneys when he was only three months old. Nate won a victory over testicular cancer after he was diagnosed with the disease in 2014. 

Solder started every game for Big Blue over the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.