The National Football League has stopped their daily testing of all players, vaccinated or unvaccinated, for COVID-19.
On Friday, NFL released a memo stating that the league said it would add unvaccinated players to its existing symptom screening and testing surveillance programs. Anyone who reports symptoms will be tested.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero relayed the leaguewide memo sent Friday, citing a mutual agreement between the League and Players Association based on Omicron’s waning effects.
“The change is based on info gathered the past month on the Omicron variant and was approved by the NFLPA,” Pelissero announced on his Twitter. “All players and tiered staff will be subject to enhanced symptom screening, symptom-based testing, and targeted surveillance testing.”
The NFL is halting daily COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated players.
Only those who report symptoms will be tested. https://t.co/NdXBz0PBO8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 22, 2022
Fun Friday news dump…. This article was written after 7PM… I missed the “news” and surprised I haven’t seen more on here this AM https://t.co/gyzdU8T8Q3
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) January 22, 2022
NFL Updates Guidelines To Stop Testing For Both Vaccinated, Unvaccinated Players
https://t.co/c3UZKenTtE— OutKick (@Outkick) January 22, 2022
Here’s an excerpt from ESPN explaining:
In a memo sent Friday afternoon to teams, the league said it would add unvaccinated players to its existing symptom screening and testing surveillance programs. Anyone who reports symptoms will be tested.
The NFL’s most recent COVID-19 data release reported that 95% of players and nearly 100% of staff members are vaccinated. The change will apply to a small group of people.
With only eight teams left in the playoffs, there are roughly 12 unvaccinated players remaining, a source told ESPN. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose 90-day testing exemption following a positive case was set to expire soon, is one of them.
In the memo, the NFL wrote:
“This comprehensive, symptom-based approach to testing reflects our recent experience with the omicron variant and conforms to current public health recommendations and best practices employed in healthcare, and offers the best opportunity for identifying and treating cases promptly and avoiding spread within the facility.”
It was during mid-December when a huge outbreak happened after hundreds of players and staff members tested positive, obliterated the league’s nonsensical COVID testing protocol.
The highly-vaccinated NFL couldn’t avoid the inevitable truckload of breakthrough infections from the omicron variant since the experimental injection offers no protection.
But given that it’s playoff time, money is likely the primary factor driving the NFL’s decision to halt daily COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated players.
Aaron Rodgers, the most prominent known unvaccinated player remaining in the playoffs, will generate millions of viewers when the Packers play.
Outkick also reported:
With playoff football in full swing, it’s no surprise that the NFL wants to avoid compromising the pinnacle of its season — considering college football’s success this year with ditching the COVID hysteria.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated players are still required to report any symptoms related to COVID, making sit-outs a remaining reality for games moving forward.
Sources: We Love Trump, ESPN, Outkick, AP News, ABC News, The Hill