Debate over the COVID-19 vaccine has spilled over into the NFL this offseason. The NFLPA negotiated with the NFL to make vaccines optional for players and protect that individual choice.
“The NFLPA has protected every player’s right to choose whether or not they want to take the vaccine.
This is unlike NFL coaches and other personnel who are mandated to get it.
You have an individual choice. Our union has to both protect that choice and also protect the overall player community and your families, given the virus remains contagious and dangerous.
No club official, coach or anyone from management should be pressuring you into getting a vaccine and if they are, we need to know.”
The letter from the NFLPA directly addressed the gripes of players who have become upset with the protocols.
“The protocols for unvaccinated players – which allowed for a complete NFL season with all players getting paid in full last year – are the best chance we have to get through this upcoming season without getting players sick and or/missing time.
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These are not only in place to protect you, but your teammates and families as well.
As a reminder we have posted vaccine FAQ’s on our website with detailed information from our Medical Director, Dr. Thom Mayer, and our COVID-19 taskforce.”
However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed ot that is a player isn’t vaccinated, a COVID-19 diagnosis could cause the player to lose pay for all games missed because of it.
“Per a letter agreement dated Tuesday, a copy of which PFT has obtained, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed that a team “may not challenge whether or not a player’s COVID-19 infection is football-related if . . . the player was fully vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus; and the player received an initial negative test for COVID-19 upon timely reporting to preseason training camp during the 2021 League Year, and he did not have a subsequent unexcused absence from preseason training camp.”
Florio adds that teams can challenge whether a COVID-19 infection is football related for players who haven’t been vaccinated. It would then set the stage for players who refuse to get vaccinated to potentially lose game checks if they can’t play.
Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley does not plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and insists he will not follow rules jointly adopted by the NFL and NFLPA requiring unvaccinated players to stay clear of people.
“I will be outside doing what I do,” he tweeted. “I’ll be out in public. If your (sic) scared of me then steer clear, or get vaccinated … I may die of covid, but I’d rather die actually living.
“I’m not going to take meds for a leg that isn’t broken. I’d rather take my chances with Covid and build up my immunity that way …I’ll play for free this year to live life how I’ve lived it from day one. If I’m forced into retirement, so be it.”