Report: 84% of Washington Football Team players have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot

The Washington Football Team has been at the bottom of the NFL in vaccination rate for a few weeks now, and that has been a national headline. The team opened training camp in Richmond, VA last Tuesday, and since then they have placed 7 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Ron Rivera has made it increasingly clear to the players and the media that getting vaccinated is not just about your health, and the health of those around you, but the team’s health in a competitive setting.

Washington has been around 60% vaccinated, but Mike Jones is reporting(and John Keim is confirming) that 84% of Washington’s current 90-man roster has received at least one vaccine shot. The NFL has made it much more uncomfortable to remain unvaccinated, and there are different protocols for vaccinated players(for now). The league released an updated set of guidelines a week ago that spell out the fines and possible loss of game checks that could result from disregarding protocols.

Ron Rivera fought cancer last year, and is still immunocompromised, which has been a big underlying story that has been linked with the team’s low vaccination rate. He has continued to state that while it is an individual choice, that choice has consequences personally and professionally. The organization has brought in experts to speak to players like Montez Sweat who have publicly voiced their concerns about getting vaccinated. They also set up a vaccination day on Sunday following the conclusion of their time in Richmond. Rivera was pleased with the turnout, and obviously these efforts have been working to convince players that the vaccine is a safe choice.