The NFL is not messing around when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations.
The league informed all 32 teams Tuesday that anyone refusing the vaccine without “bona fide medical or religious ground” will be denied Tier 1 or Tier 2 status, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Absence of Tier 1 or Tier 2 status restricts access to team facilities and precludes individuals from working with players.
The NFL is also demanding transparency. Said memo says teams must report weekly number of vaccinations between players and team employees. There is an expectation protocols will eventually be relaxed when a certain vaccination threshold is reached
Pelissero added the NFL and NFLPA are still having discussions about the functionality of offseason programs with organized team activities scheduled to begin on Monday. Because the workouts are voluntary, the NFLPA is reportedly telling players to boycott if everything is not done virtually:
Here’s the full NFL memo, which also says teams must report weekly the number of employees who are vaccinated, as conversations with the NFLPA continue on the thresholds at which protocols on testing, PPE, travel, etc., can be relaxed. pic.twitter.com/FXuIhFP6Vh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 13, 2021
Discussions continue between the NFL and NFLPA about what form offseason programs will take, with scheduled Monday start. Union wants all-virtual and has urged players to boycott otherwise. Everything prior to training camp is voluntary, other than one mandatory minicamp in June.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 13, 2021
Denver Broncos players are the first to announce a boycott:
#Broncos players become the first team to announce they'll boycott in-person voluntary workouts. The union urged players on a call Friday to take this step, as it continues to push for an all-virtual offseason. https://t.co/gvwK87aiPf
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 13, 2021
These protocols would seem to be a bit more stringent than those adopted by the NBA and MLB. The NFL is all but demanding team employees get the vaccine or else be robbed of critical aspects related to their jobs.
Perhaps this is no surprise considering NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's desire to get back to normalcy for 2021. Goodell said at the end of March he expects to have full stadiums at some point in the new season. While certainly possible, this is somewhat out of the NFL's hands.
Vaccination also seemed to be out of the league's hands when chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said in March the NFL would not require players, coaches or staff to get the vaccine.
But the NFL seems to be working around that by taking a restrictive approach in encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations.
Follow Us
Subscribe