NFL Players Association president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter had harsh words for teams that are forcing unvaccinated players to wear identifying wristbands.
"So what it really comes down to is the NFL wanted to put a policy in place to try to shame unvaccinated players publicly about their status and make that known to everyone on the field," Tretter said Thursday. "It shouldn't be the case because it's unnecessary. We all know who's vaccinated and who's not, and it doesn't need to be a scarlet marking on people's helmets or wrists."
Tretter also called the decision to wear wristbands "nonsensical" since unvaccinated players already need to wear masks.
"No other sports league uses any sort of scarlet marking or helmet decal or wristband, because they know it's not necessary and the teams know who's vaccinated, who's not vaccinated," he said.
The wristband debacle is just the latest in a constant battle between the NFL and its players with regard to players getting vaccinated, even though the vaccination rate across the league has increased significantly.
For those who have been asking ... 87.9% of #NFL players overall are vaccinated (at least one shot); 19 clubs have more than 90% players vaccinated; 7 clubs have more than 95% vaccinated https://t.co/irk8jO15jO
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) July 29, 2021
Tretter's comments come one day after Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley made a public statement on getting vaccinated. Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill also said this week he is only getting vaccinated because the league is putting pressure on him to do so.
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