I’ll never forget the day when the NFL mandated that all players had to receive the Covid vaccine. I was in shock when I heard the news. I didn’t think they would actually do it. I was sure it would just be another empty announcement. But here they were, actually doing something about this awful virus that’s been plaguing us for months now.
It seems like such an obvious decision to me. After all, football players are considered some of the most well-known and elite members of the population. They have a larger platform than many of us and thus, have the power to lead by example and take the health risks seriously. Everyone else could follow in their footsteps. And plus, football is clearly considered a contact sport, which means the players are more susceptible to catching the virus, so having them all vaccinated is absolutely essential.
The news also caused a wave of emotions to go through me. On one level, I was so pleased they were finally taking steps to help protect the players. But then again, I was saddened by the fact that the decision took so damn long. Why wasn’t it enacted months earlier? It definitely took a couple of serious injuries to occur for something to finally happen. I’m hoping this experience will encourage other organizations to make similar decisions faster, next time.
When the announcement was made, everyone was left to wonder: how exactly will the NFL mandate this rule? It certainly intrigued me to hear what the policy would entail. Would it be a certain percentage that had to be vaccinated or a mandatory vaccine for all players? Luckily, we soon found out. The NFL made it clear that all players would be required to receive the vaccine before the new semester begins in July.
That means every single player has to get the vaccine. No exceptions. The criteria isn’t sophisticated either. Everyone has to get the vaccine just the same. Even players who have previous medical conditions must get the shots. So now, I’m waiting for the media to start airing footage of the players all lining up to get the vaccine. I’m sure it’ll be an inspiring sight that will prove just how serious the NFL is about protecting the players from COVID-19.
Now, with the vaccine in place, the NFL can finally start thinking about actually playing games. They have months of planning and preparation ahead of them, especially with the season coming up in the fall. That means they have to get players to sign contracts and get their game plan straight. Additionally, they have to modify venues to ensure everyone is socially distanced and remains safe.
It’s definitely a daunting ordeal, especially considering the changing regulations based on the state. But I’m confident that the NFL can handle it. After all, they are the professional organization, they know what they’re doing. And it’s about time something is done about the virus. I’m positive that this decision will end up having positive long-lasting effects for both the players and the entire NFL.
I’m sure other organizations are watching the NFL closely and considering similar strategies. If these mandates prove successful, I wouldn’t be surprised if other major institutions followed suit. Vaccinating all employees would no doubt significantly reduce sickness, spread of the virus, and hopefully move us one step further to eradicating this horrible pandemic.
At the end of the day, I applaud the NFL for making this wise decision. Too many people have been risking their health to do their jobs and I think it’s about time something is done to ensure their safety. Hopefully, this gives everyone who is in a position like this the courage to fight for what is right. We are all in this together and we must all take responsibility. Now, let’s just a see how this plays out in the long run.