NFL Stars React To Memo Threatening Forfeits For COVID Outbreaks

ACROSS AMERICA — The NFL may force teams with coronavirus outbreaks among unvaccinated players this upcoming season to forfeit games, and the players to miss getting paid for the week. Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a memo to all 32 teams outlining the league's stance.

"If a game is cancelled/postponed because a club cannot play due to a Covid spike among or resulting from its non-vaccinated players/staff, then the burden of the cancellation or delay will fall on the club experiencing the Covid infection," the memo states, according to NFL.com.

"We will seek to minimize the burden on the opposing club or clubs. If a club cannot play due to a Covid spike in vaccinated individuals, we will attempt to minimize the competitive and economic burden on both participating teams."

The memo says the league has no chance of making up games that are missed because of the virus, thanks to the new 17-game regular season.

If a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week schedule due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and be credited with a loss.

Reaction was swift among some notable players.

Arizona Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver Deandre Hopkins took to Twitter in the immediate aftermath of Goodell's announcement to say that he would not get a COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of the NFL's policy on the matter.

"Never thought I would say this, But being put in a position to hurt my team because I don't want to partake in the vaccine is making me question my future in the NFL," Hopkins' tweet, which has since been deleted, read.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette also deleted a tweet, one stating "I can't do this," in response to the league memo, a reporter for The Athletic tweeted.

Jalen Ramsey, a cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, said he "wouldn't look at a teammate as bad" if he isn't vaccinated.

Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Jonathan Feliciano, sharing unfounded claims about the vaccine's origin and Dr. Anthony Fauci, was criticized widely for his tweet that stated, "you cannot trust the government."

Wide receiver Cole Beasley, Feliciano's teammate in Buffalo, has been outspoken on his desire not to get the vaccine. He hadn't commented directly on the NFL's plan to force teams with outbreaks to forfeit as of early Thursday evening.

Patch Editor Christopher Boan contributed to this report.