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Jacksonville Jaguars first-year head coach Urban Meyer could be in some hot water with the National Football League Players Association with his recent comments on players’ vaccination status playing a role in recent cuts.
“Everyone was considered,” Meyer said after the roster was cut to 53 players. “That was part of the [considerations such as] production, let’s start talking about this, and also is he vaccinated or not? Can I say that that was a decision-maker? It was certainly in consideration.”
George Atallah, the assistant executive director for external affairs for the NFLPA, has stated the NFLPA has opened an investigation on this matter because cutting a player due to his vaccination status is against league rules.
Jaguars’ HC Urban Meyer said his team considered players’ vaccination status in today’s final cuts:https://t.co/AN1zgIANHM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2021
Vaccinations have been highly encouraged throughout the league as the country is still dealing with the Coivd-19 pandemic. Meyer, along with other coaches, is taking a strong stand in vaccinations to help contain other variants from spreading.
Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer stood his ground on why people and players should get the Covid-19 vaccination. Even coach Belichick was asked whether or not vaccinations played a role in his decision to cut Cam Newton. Belichick’s response was a simple “No.”
“That’s why people should get vaccinated.” — #Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who is not happy, sounds off on having just one QB for practice for COVID-related reasons. https://t.co/qnnirqDV8X
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2021
Bill Belichick said Cam Newton’s vaccination status was not a factor in his decision to release the QB:https://t.co/uKG2RDlFIQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2021
Coach Meyer admitted that he took players’ vaccination status into account when deciding who would be a member of the Jaguars when the regular season kicks off. However, he may not be the only coach that based his roster decisions like this.
The investigation by the NFLPA will let the league know how serious of a situation this could become, and one could wonder if the NFLPA will soon investigate other head coaches.
