Football players are shocked by the news — some even questioning their futures in the league.
(Picture: Getty Images)The NFL has enacted strict new rules regarding Covid outbreaks among unvaccinated players, and some football players aren’t pleased. While the vaccine is not necessarily required, the league’s newly instated protocols could make things unpleasant for players opting not to get the jab — as well as their teammates, and any team they may possibly play.
According to a new memo from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, moving forward, entire teams will be forced to suffer for unvaccinated players’ actions: Should just one unvaccinated player fall ill, their team’s upcoming games will not be rescheduled, and will instead count as a loss. What’s more, this infection will affect the opposing team, as well: In this scenario, neither team’s players will receive a salary check, regardless of their personal vaccination status.
Football players are shocked by the news — some even questioning their futures in the league.
Freedom?
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) July 22, 2021
Arizona Cardinals wide-receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has publicly spoken out against the vaccine and has no plan to get it, took to Twitter to share his disappointment. “Never thought I would say this, But being 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,” he wrote, in a since-deleted Tweet.
Some tweets, seemingly alluding to the situation, remain online however. In one, Hopkins asked, “Freedom?” Later, he comforted fans regarding his longevity in football. (We think.)
Btw I got about 9 more years in me, y’all have a good day 😎
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) July 22, 2021
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette also tweeted in opposition to the vaccine, but like Hopkins, also deleted the evidence. “”Vaccine I can’t do it…….,” he wrote. Unfortunately for Fournette, screenshots exist.
Add #Bucs RB Leonard Fournette to the list of players against getting the COVID-19 vaccine. pic.twitter.com/1IqlksESap
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 22, 2021
New England Patriots’ Matthew Judon took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction, as well. “The NFLPA “f***ing sucks,” he wrote, later clarifying that it’s not “about the vaccine” and we don’t know if he’s vaccinated or not.
The NFLPA Fucking sucks
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) July 22, 2021
I didn’t say anything about the vaccine. I said the NFLPA suck. You don’t know if I’m vaccinated or not. This isn’t that argument. But thank you for your input.
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) July 22, 2021
Some players, like Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey, came to the defence of players who won’t get vaccinated, however. “I won’t think they are a bad teammate,” he said.
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 5️⃣ https://t.co/OGTbKJ1A6Z
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) July 22, 2021
Just because my teammate(s) personally decide not to get the vaccine, I won’t think they are a bad teammate. That’s all 😂
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) July 22, 2021
It’s all love 🤟🏾
Former NFL player Darius Butler shared his concerns, claiming the memo was “dead ass wrong.”
The @NFL is dead ass wrong w/ that new memo they sent out to teams today. What’s new tho!? Basically forcing these needles into players arms at this point. Every player/personnel should have an ACTUAL “choice” in the matter. They are sending a CLEAR message today.
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) July 22, 2021
Jerry Hughes Jr of the Buffalo Bills, however, took issue with Butler’s statement, asking how Butler can question “top scientists” who are “trying to save lives.”
Sooo the top scientists in the entire world got together to figure out how to combat Covid-19. And when they came up with a vaccine, you question them. They are trying to save lives and you have doubt😳😳
— Jerry hughes Jr (@Iam_jerryhughes) July 23, 2021
The two talked it out in some more tweets, in which Butler compared the vaccine to getting a new iPhone.
some ppl have an underlying health conditions, so they are at risk if an outbreak happens.🤷♂️ Wait but Apple is just 1 company, Not all the tech companies in the world🤷♂️…
— Jerry hughes Jr (@Iam_jerryhughes) July 23, 2021
Hopefully there won’t be many outbreaks.
