Former Denver Broncos safety TJ Ward took exception to Ron Rivera saying he is “beyond frustrated” with the low vaccination rate among players on the Washington Football Team.
“Just park the Riverboat,” Ward tweeted. “His health is beyond that of COVID. Maybe it’s time to let it go.”
Ward, who announced his retirement from the NFL in April, didn’t stop there. He then tweeted “Don’t blame the players for your life long health decisions.”
Ward was greatly criticized for his take by fans on Twitter. That prompted him to respond with another tweet.
“At some point you gotta pay for them vices,” Ward said in a since-deleted tweet. “Cancer runs in my family like many American families. But also bad diets and cigarettes do as well. Except responsibility.Don’t blame and be disappointed in your 23 year olds cus they have they own bodies and opinions about there health”
Rivera overcame cancer last year. He was diagnosed in August 2020 of squamous cell carcinoma located in a lymph node of his neck. He received treatment throughout the season as he coached Washington. Rivera was deemed cancer free in January but is immune deficient which makes him at risk of COVID-19.
Many continued to disagree with Ward’s take. That prompted him to attempt to clarify his stance in one final tweet. He said he was “not trying [to] be insensitive to anyone effected by the cancer.”
Washington has the lowest vaccination rate among players in the NFL with 60% of their players being vaccinated, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.
NFL sent out a memo saying teams could forfeit games that are unable to be rescheduled if an outbreak occurs among unvaccinated players. Additionally, the league will fine unvaccinated players $14,650 for each time they violate NFL COVID-19 protocols.
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