Vikings owner ‘very concerned’ about team’s COVID-19 situation

Minnesota Vikings owner and President Mark Wilf expressed concern over the team’s COVID-19 vaccination numbers and coronavirus situation.

The concern comes as a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press the team has the lowest vaccination rate in the NFL.

“We’re very concerned,” Wilf said Tuesday. “I think it’s safe to say that our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our players, our coaches, our staff and, ultimately, the entire community.”

The person said only 64.5 percent of the team is fully vaccinated, with 70 percent receiving one shot of the vaccine. 

The Vikings’ assistant coach left the team after refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine in July. 

Team quarterback Kirk Cousins was put on the coronavirus reserve list for five days along with two of his backups and a wide receiver after he was exposed to someone with the virus. Cousins is thought to be unvaccinated since vaccinated individuals don’t have to sit out for five days.

The team is still working to get more individuals vaccinated as the NFL’s chief medical officer has spoken to the team about the vaccine in the summer. 

“Just really making sure that everyone has the full facts, that there’s not any misinformation about this and to understand all the ramifications of these decisions,” Wilf said, according to the AP.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer described his frustrations with the outbreak of COVID-19 cases on the team.

“Quite honestly, going through everything we went through last year, I’m not surprised one bit. I am disappointed that this happened,” Zimmer said. “I’m frustrated with, not just my football players that won’t get vaccinated. I’m frustrated with everybody, so we’ll just do the best we can. It’s disappointing.”

Linebacker Anthony Barr has said the team has accepted each other’s decision regarding vaccination.

“I think we’re all very respectful of one another’s decisions. There’s never been any kind of division or conflicts,” Barr said. “It’s your choice to make and you live with the results.”