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Sean McDermott 'concerned' about Bills reaching possible NFL vaccination threshold
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is "concerned" that his team may not reach the 85 percent COVID-19 vaccination rate benchmark that could mean relaxed health and protocols for the upcoming NFL season, he told reporters Tuesday.
McDermott gave a detailed answer about his team's vaccination rate when he was asked during OTAs, emphasizing that it's a personal decision and he's focused on "educating" people and not "convincing" them.
Sean McDermott admitted he is "concerned" about possibly not hitting a vaccine threshold in order to have Covid restrictions potentially relaxed during the season. He also said it's important to "educate" people rather than "convince" those who are not vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/OOQkg6Jmnv
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) May 25, 2021
The NFL has yet to release any updated COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the upcoming season, but according to NBC Sports' Peter King, the NFL is considering adopting the MLB system: relaxing team health and safety restrictions if 85 percent of the players are vaccinated. Bills general manager Brandon Beane said in early May that he considers a high vaccination rate to be a competitive advantage, since those teams would have privileges that others wouldn't.
McDermott has addressed the team about getting vaccinated
McDermott revealed that he has been vaccinated, as have Beane and team owners Terry and Kim Pegula. He said that he has addressed the team about getting vaccinated, but didn't want to publicly elaborate.
Sean McDermott said he is fully vaccinated, as are GM Brandon Beane and The Pegulas. #Bills coach was asked if he has addressed his team on the vaccination but says he'll keep those conversations in house.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) May 25, 2021
Sean McDermott says he’s fully vaccinated: “I think it’s for the greater good not just for our team but the community, as well.”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) May 25, 2021
Multiple players have expressed reluctance to get the vaccine, including star quarterback Josh Allen. McDermott was asked about Allen, but declined to discuss whether the QB was vaccinated.
Asked if Josh Allen has been vaccinated - Allen expressed some reservation about it the last time we heard from him - Sean McDermott says "it's not healthy for me to get into who is and who isn't." #Bills
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) May 25, 2021
For players who are questioning whether they should get vaccinated, McDermott hopes that the experience of their Bills teammate Tommy Sweeney will help them make the decision. Sweeney had COVID-19 last year and had to miss the entire season.
Sean McDermott on TE Tommy Sweeney having Covid-19 last year: "If anyone needs a reason or more information about whether or not to get vaccinated and the Covid situation, Tommy missed all of last season and it affected him for a while."
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) May 25, 2021
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