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AP Photo / Milne Stew
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley has addressed his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine amid criticism of his position.
Beasley said on Friday that he “could die of covid, but I’d rather die alive.”
Cole Beasley @ Bease11
Public service announcement pic.twitter.com/XjQicdvnKm
“I have family members whose days are numbered,” he wrote. “If they want to come see me and stay at my house, then they come regardless of the protocol. I don’t play for the money anymore. My family has been taken care of.”
Beasley also asserted that “a lot of other NFL players are in my job as well but are not in the right place in their careers to be so outspoken.”
The 32-year-old initially expressed his frustration with the NFL Players Association on Wednesday after learning about protocols for players who have been fully vaccinated and those who have not.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, fully vaccinated players will not have to undergo daily COVID-19 tests or wear masks, among other protocol changes, while unvaccinated players will remain subject to strict testing regulations , the wearing of masks, social distancing and public activities.
Cole Beasley @ Bease11
It’s crazy. Have we voted on it? I stay at the hotel. We still have meetings. We will all be together. Vaccinated players can exit the hotel and bring the covid back to where I am. So what if I stay at the hotel now? 100 percent immune to vaccination? No https://t.co/g61WM8zAOh
Cole Beasley @ Bease11
The association of players is a joke. Call it something different. It’s not for gamers. Everyone tells me that 98% of people vaccinated no longer contract covid. The odds of me getting into the NFL and playing for 10 years are lower than that and I’m here.
Cole Beasley @ Bease11
So what are we really talking about? I fully understand why the NFL is doing this. This gives them the freedom to make as much money again as possible if everyone is vaccinated. But will someone fight for the players or not?
Cole Beasley @ Bease11
That’s all, I don’t know who I should talk to, but someone has to get it right. This is why I am here. Hopefully the right people will see it and at least think about how this all works with the NFLPA. It must be changed.
According to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, Beasley said he spoke to the NFLPA after his series of critical tweets on Wednesday.
Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes confirmed in April that he received the COVID-19 vaccine to protect the health of his daughter Sterling, who was born in February. That same month, Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson hosted an NBC special alongside Ciara to highlight the benefits of getting the shot.
The Washington Post’s Mark Maske reported on Tuesday that more than half of NFL players had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Sixteen teams have vaccinated at least 50 of the 90 registered players, and three also have 70 or more.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters this week his team “are heading in the right direction” on vaccination. McDermott previously confirmed he was vaccinated in addition to Bills general manager Brandon Beane.
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