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The Sooners expect to contend for a national title behind the arm of Spencer Rattler. But could a decision they make off the field ultimately make the biggest impact?
During Tuesday’s media session, cornerback D.J. Graham estimated 90% of the Sooners are already vaccinated against COVID-19, as reported by Jesse Crittenden of the Norman Transcript.
Sooners cornerback DJ Graham estimates about 90% of the team is vaccinated. #sooners
— Jesse Crittenden (@Jcritt31) August 10, 2021
While no official report disclosing OU’s data is available, an actual rate anywhere close to 90% could prove instrumental in keeping the program’s best players on the field when it matters most.
If the Sooners want to punch their fifth ticket to the CFP, they must treat the vaccine effort as an arms race against the Southeastern Conference. As Alabama, LSU and Georgia are also reporting high vaccination rates.
COVID-19 forced several teams to postpone or cancel games in the 2020 season. With a return to a full schedule in 2021, there’s less wiggle room in the schedule for games to be made up. While games could be canceled and not affect their record last season, teams that cannot field a full team this season because of COVID thresholds will be forced to forfeit.
There are various reasons a player might not get a vaccine. He has the right to determine his own course of medical treatment. A player might have a chronic illness that would make accepting the vaccine a contraindication.
Unfortunately, how teams handle COVID-19 in the 2021 season will be a prominent storyline. And that storyline could affect the Sooners’ ability to contend for the national championship in 2021.
It’s like my high school coach (and probably yours) used to say, the best ability is availability.