National Football League “Requiring” Vaccination

During the 2020 season, the NFL would delay games to an extra added week (week 18), when teams had a COVID out break and was prohibited by the NFL to play that weeks game. Many teams have high vaccination rates, and some teams do not. This year, if a team has a COVID outbreak with unvaccinated players, they will be forced to forfeit their game that week and wouldn’t be allowed to compete to protect the opposing team. NFL Network states, “NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that the NFL sent a memo to its clubs stating that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week schedule due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and be credited with a loss, per sources informed of the situation.”

On top of that, “players on both teams will not be paid for the lost contest, and the team responsible for the cancelled game due to unvaccinated players will cover financial losses and be subject to potential discipline from the Commissioner’s office,” states NFL Network. This has brought a lot of frustration to the players, and especially the thought of losing their hefty paychecks because of one person. They are essentially requiring teams to be 100% vaccinated without making it mandatory.

There are a few big names that are against the vaccine who have raised their voices against this new rule. One notable name is Deandre Hopkins, star wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. He went on Twitter to state, “Never thought I would say this, but being put in a position to hurt my team because I don’t want to partake in the vaccine is making me question my future in the @Nfl.” This is a massive shock as, arguably, the best receiver in the NFL that is currently playing, is threatening to leave the NFL because of this new rule. For people like Hopkins, they would be sacraficing hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single missed game due to COVID, even if it’s not their fault.

Jalen Ramsey, star corner back for the L.A. Rams also went on Twitter to show his support for the unvaccinated players by tweeting, “I know 2 people right now who got the vaccine but are covid positive.. I’m just saying. I wouldn’t look at a teammate as bad if he don’t get the vax, no pressure from 5.” Ramsey clearly thinks there’s some flaw in this rule, as the Delta variant can still be caught from fully vaccinated individuals. Hopkins quoted Ramsey’s tweet and stated, “… @jalenramsey My girlfriend brother in the military got the vaccine and had heart problems right after. When you stand for something they hate you!” Player’s are feeling pressured to do something their not comfortable with, or they will be forced to essentially handover at least one of their pay checks.

Super Bowl champion Leonard also went to twitter to express his frustration, “Vaccine I can’t do it…….” Much like these other players, Cole Beasley, wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills has showed his frustration over the vaccine for the past couple weeks, also threatening to retire if he is forced to get the vaccine. The players essentially don’t have a choice what they want to do with their bodies and in some way, they’re being held hostage.

This could very well be a way of the NFL saving money due to the lost revenue of the 2020 season. If it is, that’s a terrible way to treat your employees, and the players frustration is valid.