Texas A&M have withdrawn from the Gator Bowl because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program that has reportedly left them with only 38 healthy players. The game is scheduled for Dec. 31, and the Aggies were supposed to take on No. 17 Wake Forest.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Chairman John Duce in a statement:  “We are disappointed that Texas A&M University and the Aggie fans will be unable to represent the Southeastern Conference in Jacksonville at this year’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game. However, the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches and staff remains our primary concern.” Bowl officials are looking for a replacement opponent, but that would likely require taking a team committed to play in another bowl or waiting until another bowl encounters a similar issue and another team is left searching for an opponent.

An uptick in COVID-19 cases across the country due to a combination of the Delta and Omicron variants has disrupted the sports world. Dozens of college basketball games have been canceled in recent weeks amid the spread, as well as NBA and NHL games.

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