THE NFL HAS LAID DOWN THE HAMMER

News leaked on Thursday morning that a memo went out to all 32 teams indicating that NFL teams that experience a COVID-19 outbreak among nonvaccinated players could forfeit regular-season games, with players on both teams not getting paid.

To say that the internet took the above quote and ran with it would be a serious understatement, see below for evidence.

The NFLPA Fucking sucks

— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) July 22, 2021

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

Welcome to:

I will never watch the NFL again, Part 40278.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) July 22, 2021

Why Are We Surprised?

What I am struggling to understand here is why are people surprised about a decision like this? It makes so much sense from the NFL’s perspective and quite frankly a basic logic perspective.

We spent the a year plus cooped up in our homes as the virus took over our lives in 2020. Fast forward a year later and we have a vaccine that is designed to prevent people from contracting/dying of COVID. The reason that countries, states and cities were able to open up is because of the people that are getting vaccinated. If you don’t want to get vaccinated that’s your own decision but you should be able to admit that you’re living your “new normal” life off the coattails of the people who did.

Now let’s get to why this was a logical memo from the NFL. The league spent much of last season maneuvering the schedule to be able to accomodate for teams that suffered COVID outbreaks. This was much easier to navigate when fans weren’t permitted inside of the stadiums. Fast forward to 2021 and every NFL team is expected to open up the season with nearly full capacity in the seats. Not to mention the flexibility they had with TV networks last year that won’t be as easy in 2021.

Of course the NFL wants to encourage their players to get vaccinated, it makes too much sense. If everyone were to be vaccinated then there is nothing to be worried about. I’m not sure how this is such a crazy concept for players to wrap their heads around. Some players are saying they don’t want to be vaccinated because they don’t know the long term effects. Yet, they know what the repercussions are of bashing their heads together every Sunday in the fall. They’re still willing to do that, so why can’t they put a little needle in their arm?

The funniest part about this is that the memo states that teams would forfeit if they aren’t able to play the game within the 18 week schedule. Last season there were plenty of COVID outbreaks and they still didn’t need to add an additional week to the regular season. At the end of the day the league isn’t willing to accomodate players that won’t accomodate them.

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