The NFL is hammering down on getting COVID-19 under control within the league and has encouraged teams to push for high vaccination rates. With training camp practices starting Wednesday, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer informed the media that the Jags have achieved that and currently have a vaccination rate of over 80%.
“I didn’t get vaccinated because someone told me to. I got vaccinated because I did a deep dive and educated myself. I believe players should do the same.”
Urban says #Jaguars are over 80% vaccinated#DUUUVAL | @FCN2go
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) July 28, 2021
This is good news that comes after the Jags were lagging in the vaccination rate category last month, according to The Washington Post.
Last week, the league and NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell announced that forfeited games and the loss of game checks could be the result of outbreaks if a team can’t make up a game. Of course, this encouraged many notable players to speak out against receiving the vaccination like DeAndre Hopkins and former Jag Leonard Fournette at the time.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, 14 teams have vaccination rates that are over 90%. He also revealed that at least 80% of the league’s players had received at least one shot.
Of course, players aren’t required to be vaccinated, but the policies the NFL has enforced make life easier for those who are. The benefits for vaccinated players include avoiding daily testing, not having to wear a mask when inside a team’s facility or traveling with teammates, and having no social distancing restrictions.
As camp moves along we’ll continue to monitor the Jags’ progress in terms of vaccinations. However, the team continues trending in the direction they are, they should hit the 85% to 90% rate sooner rather than later.