Former NFL security TJ Ward accuses Ron Rivera of contracting skin cancer

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Former NFL security TJ Ward made a bizarre rant on Tuesday, apparently accusing Ron Rivera of contracting skin cancer.

“Don’t blame gamers for your lifelong health decisions,” Ward said in a since-deleted social media post. “At some point, you have to pay for these vices. Cancer runs through my family like many American families. But also bad diets and cigarettes do it too. (Accept) responsibility. Don’t blame or be disappointed with your 23 year olds because they have their own bodies and their own opinions about their health.

Ward was responding to the coach of the Washington football team expressing his frustrations over not vaccinating some of his players against COVID-19.

Ward, 34, felt that players on the Washington football team should not be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to Rivera’s history of cancer.

“Just park the Riverboat. His health is beyond that of COVID. Maybe it’s time to let it go, ”said Ward, who played in the NFL for eight seasons before retiring last year.

Ward then apologized to Rivera, writing, “I wasn’t trying to be insensitive to anyone affected (sic) by cancer. I know you didn’t choose to have cancer. And I tried to clarify this. If you know me and my career, you know how much I support people with cancer.

TJ Ward; Ron RiveraGetty Images

Rivera, 59, said on Tuesday it was “beyond frustration” that just over 50% of Washington’s players have been vaccinated – even after the NFL established a mandate that an epidemic of COVID-19 could result in packages.

Rivera was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, last August. He underwent chemotherapy and proton therapy for seven weeks during the season leading up to remission. But he is now immunodeficient, which puts him at risk of getting sick from the virus.

Rivera walked around the facilities in a mask to protect himself from the players.

“Now for some reason we have some reluctance to do it, to get the vaccine,” Rivera said. “These young men have to make the decision for themselves. Hope they can understand how impacting not getting vaccinated has a big impact, and you would like to believe with all the news going around that people are being hospitalized, dying of COVID right now, are those who are not vaccinated.

Ward played for the Browns, Broncos and Buccaneers, last appearing in a game in 2017.

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