Washington Football Team: Ron Rivera vindicated by recent comments regarding low vaccination rate

Head coach of the Washington Football Team Ron Rivera sounds like a father talking to his family.  

Ron Rivera recently expressed his frustration to reporters regarding the low vaccination rate for his team. Last Tuesday, the team announced that presumptive starting right tackle Cornelius Lucas would be placed on the COVID-19 list. Forty-eight hours later, Curtis Samuel and Matt Ioannidis were also added to the list.

Over the weekend, both Brandon Scherff and Daron Payne were added to the COVID-19 reserve list. Coach Rivera stressed the importance of the early losses to his players and how they would impact the game plan. It will be interesting to see how players respond to the outbreak.

The NFL recently implemented new rules regarding covid outbreaks and it’s going to be costly for teams. The Football Team handled COVID well in 2020, with only three players on the list throughout the entire season. Ironically, heading into the 2021 season, the Football Team is now one of the least vaccinated teams in the NFL.

After seeing Ron Rivera survive cancer in 2020, one would think players would be more accountable in their actions. Being that he is immune deficient,Rivera understands the importance of practicing safe habits during this pandemic.

Earlier this offseason, Rivera brought in renowned immunologist specialist Kizzmekia Corbett to speak to the team about the importance of being vaccinated. Defensive end Montez Sweat scoffed at the idea, while guys like Terry McLaurin and Ryan Fitzpatrick have stepped to the forefront regarding their specific vaccination status. Fitzpatrick had a straightforward response for the media after a recent practice regarding the topic.

"“I’ve had plenty of guys engage me in conversation, questions … guys that have been vaccinated and guys that haven’t been vaccinated,” Fitzpatrick said. “I just tell them what I think. It’s a personal choice. That’s the end of the discussion for me. If you are making a decision on what you think is best for you and your family, beautiful. The decision might be different for me. That’s the way I go about it, respect everybody else’s decision.”"

Other players such as defensive end Chase Young and tight end Logan Thomas didn’t reveal their vaccination status but have sported masks during their appearances with the media. After Saturday’s practice, Coach Rivera provided some insight as to why the vaccination rate has been so for his team.

"“There is some deep thought going on from some of these guys,” Rivera said. “It’s a matter of these guys being educated and understanding, because it’s fair when you sit down and talk to these guys and listen to them and listen to their true concerns. Some guys just don’t know, and I’ve gotten a sense that there are a few who are dug in so hard, so much that they’re not going to back down. That’s the part to me that’s concerning because I care about all these guys. You do worry that somebody might catch it and go home and pass it on to a family member.”"

It is better that an outbreak of this sorts happens in training camp instead of an actual game week than Ron Rivera suggested. Hopefully, players use this experience as a wake-up call as they navigate throughout the 2021 season.