DeAndre Hopkins among players to respond to NFL vaccination note to teams

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver ByAndré Hopkins deleted a tweet Thursday afternoon shortly after posting it that said he would “question” his future in the NFL if it meant that not getting the COVID-19 vaccine could potentially hurt his team’s chances in 2021.

Hopkins’ tweet came in the wake of an NFL memo that outlined the ramifications for teams that experienced COVID outbreaks during the 2021 season that decimated groups of positions or entire rosters. The NFL has said a forfeit will be declared for a postponed game that cannot be rescheduled as part of the season’s 18 games and is caused by an outbreak among unvaccinated players on a team. In addition, in the event of a forfeit, the players of both teams would lose their game checks.

The new NFL policy has made waves throughout the league, with players reacting to the news on social media and at training camps.

Hopkins’ now deleted tweet read: “I never thought I would say that, but being able to hurt my team because I don’t want to participate in the vaccine makes me question my future in @nfl.” After deleting his initial tweet, he tweeted: “Freedom?”

He then tweeted, however, that he had “9 more years left in me.”

By the way I’m about 9 years older in me, have a nice day

– Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) July 22, 2021

Hopkins has been one of the biggest names to respond publicly to the new NFL policy, but others have stepped in.

The Los Angeles Rams corner half Jalen ramsey responded to famous quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery, who tweeted: “Def a bad teammate if you don’t get the vax now…” by tweeting that he knew of two vaccinated people who tested positive for COVID and that he “wouldn’t look at a teammate so badly if he didn’t get the vax, no pressure 5”.

I currently know 2 people who have been vaccinated but are covid positive .. 🤷🏾‍♂️ I’m just saying. I wouldn’t look at a teammate this badly if they don’t get the vax, no 5️⃣ pressure https://t.co/OGTbKJ1A6Z

– Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) July 22, 2021

Hopkins responded to Ramsey’s tweets by tweeting that his girlfriend’s brother, who is in the military, started having heart problems after receiving the vaccine. He then deleted that tweet.

TO Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif., running back Ezekiel Elliott said he received the COVID-19 vaccine but doesn’t think this decision should be forced on others.

“I got the vaccine just because I wanted to put myself in the best position to be there for my team week after week. But I mean, not everyone is as convinced or maybe that d “Other people still have their opinion on vaccines. You can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do to their body,” said Elliott, who was diagnosed with COVID-19. last summer.

Elliott said he grew up in a family “where we didn’t get vaccines, so it’s a little hard to tell someone who their whole life, their mom, their dad is telling them not to. get the shot to get the shot. So I mean it’s everyone’s body. I can’t tell them what to do with it. So, I mean, it’s a little tricky. You can’t just don’t go tell someone. “

Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay said Thursday that more than 50% of the list is vaccinated and the team is “hopefully heading towards 100%.”

“[Getting vaccinated] just makes the most sense, ”Irsay said. “There are always risks with everything in life, and getting the vaccine is the right thing to do. “

New England Patriots linebacker Matt Judon expressed frustration with the new NFL policy with a tweet that said: “The NFLPA F — ing sucks.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers return Leonard Fournette said in a tweet that he would not be getting the vaccine, writing: “Vaccine, I can’t do it …….” He then deleted the tweet.

Las Vegas Adventurers return Jalen richard encouraged unvaccinated players to “read the rules – know them like you know your games” in a tweet. He added: “We are playing in prison this year and you should act as such.”

ESPN’s Todd Archer contributed to this report.