Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers vaccinated against COVID-19

NFL players have known for months that those who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 "are going to have a harder time in the season" because they will have to follow strict health and safety protocols similar to those used during the 2020 campaign, and multiple reports have confirmed a wide majority of players have received the necessary shots. 

Per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Packers starting quarterback and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers told reporters Thursday he is vaccinated against the coronavirus. 

"It's a personal decision. It's an interesting issue," Rodgers explained while adding he won't criticize teammates who still haven't gotten one of the available vaccines.

It's been proved throughout the ongoing MLB season that fully vaccinated athletes can still test positive for COVID-19, but Chase Goodbread of the NFL's website noted vaccinated football players can potentially return to clubs without observing five- or 10-day waiting periods if they can produce two consecutive negative PCR tests over a 24-hour period as long as they are asymptomatic. 

In short, it behooves everyone involved for players to be fully vaccinated before the NFL regular season begins on Sept. 9 for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.