Eight years ago, Myron Rolle was fighting to establish his career in the NFL. Today, he's a neurosurgeon resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, playing a key role in the fight against the coronavirus.

The former Tennessee Titans defensive back was the subject of a recent ESPN feature which gave viewers an idea of what it's like to be a doctor in the current times.

Rolle's story begins at 5:45 a.m. on a Tuesday morning as he enters Massachusetts General Hospital. Before he goes into the building, however, Rolle shows footage of several buses that help transport doctors fighting the virus to the hospital.

He then describes the emergency room, where the number of coronavirus patients is "staggering." 

"I went down to the emergency department and as I was walking through, I was seeing so many individuals with respiratory distress and respiratory compromise,” the former defensive back said.

According to ESPN, Rolle was at Oxford University in England 10 years ago, studying as a Rhodes Scholar while also preparing for a career in football. Now, as a third-year neurosurgeon resident, he's getting a first-hand look at the nightmare of the outbreak.

"Our bed space, our operating rooms may even be turned into ICUs because there are so many people that are either positive with COVID-19 or suspected of having it," the former Florida State standout said. 

Rolle also highlights the shortage of supplies such as masks. He then talks about the challenge of fighting the coronavirus while still treating patients with other ailments.

"We have an epilepsy surgery today," he said. "It's one of the surgeries that were able to stay on schedule despite COVID-19. Gotta get to work."

Although his NFL career only lasted three years, the 33-year-old said he doesn't have any regrets.

"Looking back on it, I wouldn't have it any other way," he said. "Ten years ago, I always had the thought that after football was done, I would go into neurosurgery." 

According to CBS Sports, Rolle played at Florida State University from 2006 to 2008. He was named ACC Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American before skipping his senior season to attend Oxford. The former defensive back was picked up in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.  

"Football has never left me. I still wake up in the morning and think of the operating room like a game, like 'it's showtime let's perform,'" he said. "I got to do what I got to do because people are counting on us right now. This is our time to help very sick people. And so that motivation continues to drive me every single day."  

According to The New York Times, more than 187,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in the United States so far. 

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