#Son’s health gives Giants’ Nate Solder different coronavirus perspective

“#Son’s health gives Giants’ Nate Solder different coronavirus perspective”

July 19, 2020 | 6:06am

At a time of such uncertainly, add this to the questions facing the Giants and rookie head coach Joe Judge: Does Nate Solder report to training camp with his teammates at the end of this month?

Solder, the 32-year old left tackle, is the Giants’ representative to the NFL Players Association. As such, his voice carries weight. Still, given his non-confrontational, non-controversial aura, it was surprising to see him take to Twitter recently to post, “If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple.’’

Solder is a special case when it comes to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. When his son, Hunter, was an infant, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his kidney, and for most of Hunter’s four years, it has been a battle for the Solder family. Nate, his wife Lexi and Hunter traveled from New Jersey to Boston every Tuesday during the season for chemotherapy sessions.

Nate Solder with his son Hudson, in an undated Twitter photo.Twitter

This is certainly a reason Solder needs every assurance possible it is safe for him to play football for the Giants this season. He will not stay away from his family all season, nor will he put his son, with a compromised immune system, in harm’s way. Solder has not given the Giants any indication he is thinking of sitting out, but there is some concern in the building that could happen.

The Patriots nominated Solder for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, for his charitable work and service in the community. The Giants did the same.

Deeply religious, Solder has visited Puerto Rico to assist in aid following Hurricane Maria and visited Uganda with Compassion International, a faith-based nonprofit that builds child development centers.

When Solder was with the Patriots, Tom Brady called him “such an incredible man and person.’’ The Giants feel the same way, though Solder has not won much for them and his play deteriorated last season. They hope he is around for a third year with them, feeling confident he can play and keep his family safe at the same time.