Ron Rivera has been an active advocate to get people and his players and staff to get vaccinated ahead of the NFL season because of its proven benefits. But he is furious with people spreading misinformation about the vaccine.
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Ron Rivera has already done a lot to increase the vaccination rates in Washington’s facility. Washington entered training camp with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the NFL. But a plea about vaccinations from Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera over the weekend appears to have worked as the vaccination rate jumped from 70-84%.
Doubling back here, I expect the Washington Football Team vaccination rate to continue to climb in the coming days. Sounds like a few more players are lining up to take their first shot. https://t.co/QeT0tZR53c
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 4, 2021
But the numbers are still low compared to the league average. And Rivera believes a lot of it has to do with misinformation around the vaccine and the people that are helping spread it.
Ron Rivera had harsh words for TV networks that spread misinformation.
Ron Rivera, a cancer survivor, hasn’t been shy about pushing his players to get vaccinated, while promoting the vaccine’s very obvious and scientifically proven benefits. But he sounded off on how social media has allowed poor information to spread.
“Gen Z is relying on [their cell phones],” Rivera said. “And you got some, quite frankly, f—— a——-, that are putting a bunch of misinformation out there, leading people to die. That’s frustrating to me, that these people are allowed to have a platform. And then, one specific news agency, every time they have someone on, I’m not a doctor, but the vaccines don’t work. Or, I’m not an epidemiologist, but vaccines are going to give you a third nipple and make you sterile. Come on. That, to me? That should not be allowed.”
Ron Rivera did not hold back talking to @AlbertBreer about the COVID-19 vaccine https://t.co/MQmeZE95BM pic.twitter.com/leQmDZnxKW
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) August 16, 2021
“We know we’re going to have guys coming into the regular season that are unvaccinated,” Rivera said. “If that’s the case, if it comes down to it, we’re going to take who we think is the best player that gives us a chance to win. But they also make sure they understand that the protocols are real, what we’re going to have them do, the masking, the social distancing. They’re going to have to do it, the contact tracing, all that. That’s just the way it’s going to be. If you’re vaccinated, great. And if you’re not, you’re following the protocols to the dot. The league came out with its penalties. We’re going to follow those to the T.”
Hopefully more leaders among NFL circles will come forth and speak about the importance of getting vaccinated
