On Wednesday, the NFL and NFLPA put out the details as far as the guidelines for players who choose to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and those who choose not to get it.
It’s clear the league is taking this seriously and the players and staff know that doing their part to keep from spreading the disease comes with the benefit of a return to normalcy. They aren’t forcing anyone to do this. But life is a lot easier for those who choose wisely.
“I’m not at liberty to give any statistics on our vaccination numbers,” Gruden said Wednesday. “I can speak for myself and our coaches, we’ve all had our vaccinations. I think our players have bought in. I think we’re as good as anybody in the league or better.”
It’s great that all the coaches on the team are in solidarity on being vaccinated and thus setting the example for the players.
In addition to the individual player’s benefits for getting vaccinated, the league has offered up easing restrictions for the team as a whole should they reach the threshold of 85% of player vaccinations. Despite Gruden’s feeling that the Raiders are better in that regard than most of the league, they have not yet reached that 85% threshold while two other teams have.
Sources: Two teams have crossed the much-talked about 85% threshold for player vaccinations (fully vaccinated or in the process). Those two are the Dolphins and Saints.
Nothing's agreed upon yet, but NFL and NFLPA have discussed relaxed protocols for teams over that threshold.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 17, 2021
Ian Rapoport added to Breer’s report that the Broncos are close to hitting the threshold as well. But no mention of the Raiders.
That’s a statistic Gruden hopes to change.
“We hope to have every man vaccinated and most importantly, every man as safe as possible when the season starts,” Gruden added.
Not most of the players, not 85% of them; all of them. Good message, coach.
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