Mac Jones reveals the 2 Alabama players who conveniently did not test for positive for COVID-19 en route to National Championship

Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mac Jones raised some eyebrows when he revealed that only two Alabama football players did not contract COVID-19.

The global pandemic impacted many sports, including college football in 2020. Stadiums had reduced capacity, and the SEC opted to have a conference-only schedule for the 2020-2021 season. The virus impacted many coaches and players before and throughout the season. Nick Saban had to miss the Iron Bowl after he tested positive.

Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, two very important players did not contract the virus.

“It was crazy,” Jones said with a huge laugh on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast when asked how testing was during the season. “Yeah, I mean, they got us every day… it was legit. It was legit. But I don’t know, me and DeVonta Smith were the only ones that didn’t test positive. I don’t know.”

Smith and Jones were arguably the best quarterback and wide receiver duo during the 2020 season. Jones threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns during the season, while Smith pulled in 105 receptions for 1,641 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns en route to taking home the Heisman Trophy.

Jones said he took protecting his teammates from the virus very seriously.

“I took it so serious, dude. I was like, nobody go out,” Jones said. “Like, we’re not doing that shit. Like, this is our year pretty much. Like, we can beat everybody that we’re playing against. But people don’t realize we played an all SEC schedule. There was no New Mexico States on there. We’re going against Ole Miss and the next week Texas A&M. We had to be on stuff. I think people underestimated that part of it. No one’s ever done that. Obviously it’s COVID, but like, no one’s gonna ever play an all-SEC schedule again.”

Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith were somehow the only two Alabama players who never tested positive for COVID pic.twitter.com/nEmTFQtcSb

— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) July 7, 2026