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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, “[Not getting vaccinated] 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.
Crazy I mean it’s almost like if you are a very healthy, in shape 23 year old then maybe you don’t need to put unnecessary chemicals into your body
I get his point, but I think you get the shot if you’re an NFL player. Get comfortable with a more normal life.
Or we let people live their own lives and act like still a free country! Stop giving into the mob DBAP son!
The shot that they want you to slam into your body is NOT FDA approved still being administered under an emergency authorization not only no but hell no
I don’t think it’s appropriate that questions like that are asked and then you’re put on the spot to defend yourself if you give the “wrong” answer.
You should be able to reply none of your f’n business. If vaccines work, then what are you worried about? You’ve got your mask, your vaccine, and the CDC you doing all you’re thinking for you, so you’re life should be worry free at this point
Apologize for typos *your