Bills' Beasley calls NFLPA 'a joke' over new COVID-19 protocols
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley isn't happy with the latest changes to the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.
The NFL and NFLPA updated on Wednesday the guidelines for training camp and preseason, easing restrictions for fully vaccinated players.
Beasley shared a series of tweets Thursday, in which he heavily criticized the alterations.
The players association is a joke. Call it something different. It’s not for the players. Everyone gives me the 98 percent of people who are vaccinated don’t get covid again. The odds of me getting in the NFL and playing for 10 years are lower than that and I’m here.
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11) June 17, 2021
So what are we really talking about? I understand completely why the NFL is doing this. It gives them back the freedom to make the most money as possible again if everyone is vaccinated. But will anyone fight for the players or nah?
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11) June 17, 2021
That’s all…I don’t know who I need to talk to but someone has to get it right. That’s why I’m on here. Hopefully the right people will see it and at least think about how all this NFLPA stuff works. It needs to be changed.
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11) June 17, 2021
The most significant updates include fully vaccinated players not needing to undergo daily testing or quarantine following exposure to the virus. Additionally, there's no required physical distancing between fully vaccinated players in team facilities.
Meanwhile, unvaccinated players will be prohibited from gathering outside of the team facility unless they receive NFL and union approval. Additionally, those players must still get tested daily, wear face coverings, and adhere to distancing protocols.
This is crazy. Did we vote on this? I stay in the hotel. We still have meetings. We will all be together. Vaccinated players can go out the hotel and bring covid back in to where I am. So what does it matter if I stay in the hotel now? 100 percent immune with vaccination? No. https://t.co/g61WM8zAOh
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11) June 17, 2021
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon also took a shot at the NFLPA over the updated protocols.
The Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints have eclipsed the 85% threshold for vaccinated players, reports Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.