New Covid Rules
Last week, the NFL and NFLPA agreed on the new guidelines for Covid-19 in the 2021-22 season. These new rules will make life completely different for vaccinated players vs. non vaccinated players on a roster. Players that are fully vaccinated will be able to start behaving as they did in pre-covid times. No masks are required, no daily testing, no restrictions and no capacity limits. The NFL is pushing for all players to become vaccinated by rewarding these players with return to normalcy.
For players that have not received the vaccine, life on the team will be much different. Players who are not getting the vaccine will have to get daily testing, wear masks in the facility and while traveling, continue social distancing in the facility, have full travel restrictions, and have a limit to how many players can be in the weight room. These rules make it apparent that the NFL would like all of its players vaccinated. Despite this there are still many players opposed to the vaccine.
Effect on Unvaccinated Players
Unvaccinated players like Cole Beasley of the Buffalo Bills spoke out this week on this issue. In a statement on Instagram Beasley said, “If I am forced into retirement, so be it. I’ve enjoyed the times I’ve had. I’ll get to live freely with my wife, kids and extended family forever.” He also went on to say ” A lot of other NFL players hold my position as well but aren’t in the right place in their careers to be so outspoken. I feel for you and I am hoping I am doing my part to represent you guys well.”
How it effects the Browns
During Minicamp many reporters got a chance to interview players and coaches on the Cleveland Browns. On June 16, Coach Stefanski was interviewed and most of the questions pertained to Covid-19 and how it would be handled by the team. Stefanski would not comment about the total number of players that were vaccinated but he did mention that they had more than 51 players fully vaccinated. J.C. Tretter, the president of the NFLPA was also interviewed. Many of his questions could not be answered as he was not at liberty or did not have the answers to speak on the issue.
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