The NFL cannot make players get the COVID-19 vaccine, but they can make things difficult for players who refuse to get the shot.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the NFL and NFLPA had agreed to updated COVID-19 protocols. Players who receive the vaccine will have few restrictions on and off the field in 2021. Players who are not fully vaccinated, however, will be very limited in what they can and cannot do. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network shared a side-by-side look at what life will look like in the NFL for vaccinated and not fully vaccinated players.
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to updated COVID-19 protocols for 2021 training camp and preseason, per source.
How different will life by for vaccinated and unvaccinated players? From the memo that just went to clubs: pic.twitter.com/8yMPW0JBWZ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 16, 2021
One player who is not thrilled with the updated protocols and NFLPA is Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley.
Beasley, one of the NFL’s top slot receivers, called the new protocols crazy.
“This is crazy,” said Beasley. “Did we vote on this? I stay in the hotel. We still have meetings. We will all be together. Vaccinated players can go out the hotel and bring covid back in to where I am. So what does it matter if I stay in the hotel now? 100 percent immune with vaccination? No.”
The wide receiver clearly did not have any say in the 2021 rules and called out the players association saying the NFLPA is not for the players at all.
“The players association is a joke, Beasley tweeted. “Call it something different. It’s not for the players. Everyone gives me the 98 percent of people who are vaccinated don’t get covid again. The odds of me getting in the NFL and playing for 10 years are lower than that and I’m here.”
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].