Aug 21, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer looks on during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Although Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer stated two weeks ago that he was “done” talking about the coronavirus vaccine, the topic remains on his mind.
On Monday — the day that the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID vaccine — the Vikings presented epidemiologist and infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm before the team.
Team vaccinations rates are difficult to attain due to personal privacy, but here Chad Graff of The Athletic affirms that the Vikings are still at the bottom of the league for vaccine engagement. And that’s where the number lived a few weeks ago when quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond, and Nate Stanley quarantined from the team for five days due to vaccination status. Mond, the Vikings rookie passer, contracted the virus, so Cousins and Stanley had to abstain from team activities because they were presumably not vaccinated.
For those unvaccinated players, this circumstance could replicate at any moment — tomorrow, Week 1, Week 10, or in the playoffs. That’s the concern for on-the-field implications.
To Zimmer, however, the vaccination debate — which has engulfed the nation for some bizarre reason — is about the safety of players and families, football be damned.
Most folks theorized Zimmer as the football-guy stalwart for vaccine hubbub [and that is probably true to a degree] but from the man’s mouth, he cares for the person and his people, not simply the gridiron fallout. He even pivoted to the notion of his baby granddaughters possibly getting the virus. Newfound grandfatherhood will do that to a man.
However, even Zimmer admits the notion of the unvaccinated men changing opinions is a longshot.
Last week, the Atlanta Falcons became the league’s first team to fully vaccinate. That’s the utopian vision for Zimmer and the Vikings, albeit one that probably won’t be fulfilled. When “vaccination rates” trickled out as newsworthy items, the Washington Football Team owned lowest-in-the-NFL designation. After some education and encouragement, Washington markedly upped the number in a short period of time. That, too, would be welcomed by the Vikings coaching staff and management.
In about one week, all teams must cut rosters down to 53 men, an event that suddenly unemploys over 800 players. Whether a player is vaccinated could, in theory, be decision-making criteria for players on the proverbial bubble. Agree or disagree with vaccines as tools to improve public health — a player’s availability is arguably the most important aspect of his standing on a team. That won’t prevent the heavy hitters from making teams, but it could potentially affect those that teeter.
About 61% of Minnesotans have received at least one installment of the vaccine as of August 23rd. Therefore, this is a nationwide head-scratcher — not just the Minnesota Vikings.
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Each player has a choice. If there is a side effect that hinders a players life that is not the Vikings choice. I would love watching hothead vikes but feel their health is more important than football.
FDA reason is now gone. Mid-information reason is now gone - Osterholm is an internationally renowned expert - a few steps up on Cousins personal research.
So now putting self before others is one of the few remaining reasons - which doesn't really sit well for a team sport.
I wouldn't be surprised if - "have you been vaccinated?" is already a required question on all Vikes job application forms.