NFL’s Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said that the league’s new COVID-19 protocol will make unvaccinated players’ lives “miserable,” Mediate reported
Tannehill told reporters on Wednesday that he believes the league has made it clear that players and team officials who are unvaccinated will be punished, according to Mediate.
“The NFL has kind of made it clear what they want to happen. If you don’t fall in line, they’re gonna make your life miserable with all the protocols,” Tannehill said.
Tannehill, who said he’s currently in the process of being vaccinated himself, added that vaccinations are a “personal choice” for everyone, citing that players have to make these decisions for their families, Mediate reported.
“I think it’s a personal decision for everyone. Everyone has to make the best decision for them and their families. That’s kind of our mindset in this building,” he said. “But they’re trying to force your hand and they ultimately have forced a lot of hands by the protocols.”
This comes as the league commissioner’s office sent out a memo last week warning clubs that they could forfeit games this season if they are unable to play due to coronavirus outbreaks among unvaccinated players.
Notable players including Cole Beasley, DeAndre Hopkins and Chase Young have shared their refusal of getting vaccinated, citing it as their personal choice.
Washington Football Team’s head coach Ron Rivera said on Tuesday that he’s “beyond frustrated” with his team’s vaccination rate being at 60 percent, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
“Yeah, I am, I’m truly frustrated. I’m beyond frustrated,” Rivera said. “Part of it is, and the reason I walked in with a mask on is, you know, I’m immunodeficient. So with this new variant, who knows?”