Cincinnati Bengals’ A.J. Green would miss game for birth of son

CINCINNATI, Aug. 26 (UPI) — Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green isn’t messing around when it comes to the birth of his first child.

It’s priority No. 1.

The Cincinnati Bengals star told Cincinnati.com Thursday that he “can’t play” if his son arrives during a game this NFL season.

“I can’t play,” Green told Cincinnati.com. “First one, definitely. I want to be there.”

Green also said he hopes it won’t be necessary to miss a game, but he doesn’t care exactly when his new addition arrives. His son is due Sept. 30. The Bengals host the Denver Broncos on Sept. 25 and the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 29.

“Just not a game day,” he said. “Anything before a game day would be ideal,” Green told Cincinnati.com.

Green, 28, was married in March 2015 to Miranda Brooke. John Legend sang at the wedding, which was attended by many of Green’s current and former teammates.

Last month, ESPN’s Coley Harvey reported that Green and quarterback Andy Dalton were “more in sync this spring than they have been during any offseason workout of their career.”

Green had 86 receptions, for 1,297 yards, and 10 touchdowns last season. He has 6,171 yards and 45 touchdowns during his career.