NFLPA president JC Tretter sounds off on wristbands for unvaccinated players

NFL Players Association president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter had harsh words for teams that are forcing unvaccinated players to wear identifying wristbands.

"So what it really comes down to is the NFL wanted to put a policy in place to try to shame unvaccinated players publicly about their status and make that known to everyone on the field," Tretter said Thursday. "It shouldn't be the case because it's unnecessary. We all know who's vaccinated and who's not, and it doesn't need to be a scarlet marking on people's helmets or wrists."

Tretter also called the decision to wear wristbands "nonsensical" since unvaccinated players already need to wear masks.

"No other sports league uses any sort of scarlet marking or helmet decal or wristband, because they know it's not necessary and the teams know who's vaccinated, who's not vaccinated," he said.

The wristband debacle is just the latest in a constant battle between the NFL and its players with regard to players getting vaccinated, even though the vaccination rate across the league has increased significantly.