Bill Belichick offered his most public stance Wednesday about NFL player vaccinations. His words were both telling and misleading.
At the start of Belichick’s daily media availability, he insisted Cam Newton’s vaccination status wasn’t a factor in his release. “No. Look, you guys keep talking about that,” he told reporters, including WEEI’s Ryan Hannable.
Belichick’s comments stand in stark contrast to his buddy, Urban Meyer, who admitted vaccination status played a role in the Jaguars’ roster costs. His candor has invited an investigation from the NFLPA.
Belichick will avoid that.
But the surly head coach went further than just denying vaccinations played a role in Newton’s surprise departure. He seemingly appeared to question the efficacy of vaccines overall.
“I would just point out that I don't know what the number is, but the number of players, coaches and staff members that have been affected by COVID in this training camp -- who have been vaccinated -- is a pretty high number,” he said. “So I wouldn't lose sight of that.”
Bill Belichick after denying that Cam Newton's release had to do with his vaccination status:
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) September 1, 2021
"The number of players and coaches and staff members that have been infected by COVID in this training camp who have been vaccinated is a pretty high number."@ABC6 #GoPats #PatsCamp pic.twitter.com/DgpC7H3np7
Here’s where Belichick is being hyperbolic, and downright misleading. Per the Herald's Andrew Callahan, unvaccinated players tested positive for COVID-19 at a rate seven times higher than those who were vaccinated from Aug. 1 — Aug. 21.
The positive test rate for vaccinated players is 0.3%. For unvaccinated players, it is 2.2%.
Since 95% of players are vaccinated, of course a larger number are going to test positive than those who are unvaccinated. It’s a much bigger pool. Belichick must know that.
Belichick also must know the NFL has decided to make life miserable for unvaxxed players, requiring them to be tested daily, adhere to travel restrictions and quarantine if they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.
That’s not the case for vaccinated players. And if they do get COVID and are asymptomatic, they can return to work in two days — provided they test negative twice. Unvaccinated players must still undergo their 10-day isolation.
Having unvaccinated players is a competitive disadvantage. Again, Belichick must know that, right?
Maybe Belichick is attempting to shut down the vaccine narrative overall. If there’s no real difference, there’s no reason to talk about it.
But that’s wrong on every level. In this rare case, here’s hoping the Hoodie is being disingenuous.
