Two Minnesota Vikings centerpieces, safety Harrison Smith and wide receiver Adam Thielen, have publicly come out saying that they have not been vaccinated. Head Coach Mike Zimmer spoke about team vaccinations and what the organization is doing to educate players.
Currently, the organization is not mandating that players get vaccinated to play, and neither is the Nation Football League.
During a Zoom call with reporters, both Thielen and Smith said they have not yet been vaccinated, according to WCCO.
“I have not been vaccinated,” Smith said.
“I am not, not at this moment, no,” Thielen said.
While the team is letting players make their own decisions, they are still attempting to give them as much education about the vaccine as possible.
Zimmer said that Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, talked with players today about how the vaccine is safe and how it was tested. Zimmer also mentioned how difficult it will be for unvaccinated players this year.
The NFL has begun loosening restrictions on fully vaccinated players and will continue to as the season starts and progresses.
Thielen and Smith are both appreciative of the team’s efforts to educate players and allow them to make their own decisions.
“They’re doing a great job of continuing to educate us, giving us resources and then kind of giving us the option to make that informed decision for our personal — where we’re at personally,” Thielen said.
Zimmer acknowledged that vaccinations are more than just being protected, it will also help the team get back to some form of ordinary.
“It’s not only the safety part of being vaccinated, but as far as being a part of a football team. For me, for instance, I don’t have to wear a mask,” Zimmer said. “We had a staff meeting the other day and everybody is in the same room. We can sit there and talk as opposed to doing [Zoom meetings].”
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