Panthers QB Sam Darnold Says He's Learning New System, Hasn’t Yet Been Vaccinated

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold spoke to media about learning a new system, next week's minicamp and updates on his living situation in Charlotte. He also mentioned that he hasn't yet been vaccinated.

Darnold spoke about his comfort with all of the current installs before being asked the last question of Tuesday's media conference: "Have you been vaccinated and where do you come down on that?"

"I haven't been vaccinated yet. You know, still got to think about all those certain things that go into it," Darnold said. "Again, it's everyone's choice whether they want to get vaccinated or not. So that's really all I got on it. I don't want to go too into detail on it, but yeah I haven't been vaccinated yet."

Darnold was asked if he has done research, how he will make an informed decision on the vaccine and how that may ultimately factor into his decision. He said he has been researching it and hasn't yet decided.

“For me, I’m just staying by myself right now. I don’t have a family or anything like that," he said. "Again, there’s a ton of different things that go into it. I’m gonna evaluate that on my own and make the best decision that I feel is, again, the best for myself.”

Last month, the NFL announced changes to its protocols for players who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which largely allow vaccinated players to go back to "pre-pandemic normal" at work.

Unvaccinated players will have to continue with the restrictions put in place to deal with the pandemic during the 2020 season, the league said.

The 24-year-old dealt with mononucleosis — another infectious illness — with the New York Jets two seasons ago, and the internet seemingly resurfaced his viral past.

He missed three games during that season, and Twitter users were quick to say, " seems fine because Sam Darnold has never missed time due to an infectious disease."

Twitter reminded Darnold of his past with infectious diseases, and he has once again become a meme.