NFL Alumni Health To Encourage Americans to get Vaccinated
August 6, 2021
NFL Alumni Health, a branch of the NFL that brings together a team of medical professionals to help athletes, is partnering with the US's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on an outreach and education initiative to tackle COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and increase confidence.
Rolling out nationally and in 20 NFL Alumni chapter cities and regions, the campaign will feature more than 40 current and retired NFL players who will encourage the public to make the decision to protect themselves, their families and their communities by getting vaccinated.
"We may be in the proverbial 'red zone,' but the fight isn't over. We hope that the voices of our NFL Alumni will help inspire people who have not yet been vaccinated to explore their concerns with a health care professional, get the facts and decide to protect themselves and others," said Beasley Reece, chief executive officer of the NFL Alumni Association.
Millions of people in the US have received COVID-19 vaccines, but, despite widespread availability of vaccines and the emergence of the new, highly contagious Delta variant, millions of Americans have not yet opted to get vaccinated. According to Our World in Data, currently, 58% of Americans have had at least one dose of the vaccination and just over 50% have been fully vaccinated.
The NFL recently sent clubs updated camp and preseason COVID-19 protocols, notably including discipline for all players -- regardless of vaccination status -- for refusal to wear tracking devices or submit to required virus testing. In a memo, the league also outlined protocols that remain most stringent for unvaccinated players.
The community outreach and education initiative aims to dispel common myths around vaccines and provide the public with resources that can help them make an informed decision. To date, more than 40 current and former NFL players have agreed to participate in the campaign, including 20 Super Bowl Champions, 25 Pro Bowlers and 15 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"I did my part to end the pandemic by getting vaccinated," said Rod Woodson, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Super Bowl Champion and 11-time Pro Bowler. "I understand that some people still have questions, but vaccination is the best way to protect ourselves and others, and reconnect with our friends, family and communities. If everyone makes a personal choice to get vaccinated, we all win together."
One of the participants is Beyond Sport Ambassador, Founder of the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation and NFL Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins who is a passionate health and well-being advocate. Others include Derrick Brooks, Harry Carson, Cris Carter, Marshall Faulk, Franco Harris, Michael Haynes, Howie Long, Anthony Munoz, John Randle, Andre Reed, Jerry Rice, Will Shields and Andre Tippett. Former NFL players Billy Davis and Kyle Richardson serve as Lead Ambassadors, and Senior Adisor and NFL Alumni Health Executive Director Janet Marchibroda serves as the executive director of the initiative.
The campaign will include public service announcements from players, media interviews, a campaign website highlighting player perspectives, answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines and community events – such as player-supported vaccination events held in collaboration with local healthcare organizations across the country.
"Like in the game of football, getting in the win column is going to take every individual doing their part," said Bart Oates, president of the NFL Alumni Association. "There's strength in numbers and we're very proud of our members for stepping up and encouraging others to make the call to get vaccinated."
For more information about the campaign and resources, please visit www.nflalumnihealth.org/covid-19