On Tuesday, AP Sports Columnist Tim Dahlberg issued a scathing opinion piece about how certain NFL players have remained hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, despite the NFL’s memo in late July stating what the consequences of outbreaks would be this season.

The league informed clubs that it would not extend the season to accommodate a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players that causes a game cancellation, as stated by “Around the NFL” writer Kevin Patra. What that means is, if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week schedule due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and be credited with a loss, per sources informed of the situation.

In addition, players on both teams will not be paid for the lost contest, and the team responsible for the cancelled game due to unvaccinated players will cover financial losses and be subject to potential discipline from the Commissioner’s office, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

Dahlberg’s column specifically addressed some of these hesitant players, including Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. He wrote, “Cousins seems intent on sabotaging any chance the Vikings can match the win total of nine games set by oddsmakers going into the season.

“That Cousins is not vaccinated and has no plans to get vaccinated should be troubling enough for Viking fans. Already sidelined for a few crucial practice days, he’s one positive test away from potentially ruining a season that, by all accounts, looked playoff worthy.”

This memo from the NFL came in response to a meeting by the NFL Players Association, in which some players came forward and expressed that they did not want to be forced to be vaccinated.

The NFL granted the players this option, stating that they would ultimately have the right to decide — but under the knowledge that choosing not to could hurt them financially, should a forfeit take place.

We agree with the NFL’s response. They have drawn a line in the sand, and rightfully so. Dahlberg’s column added, “There are also consequences on the job. Around the country, companies, schools and government agencies are beginning to require vaccinations to remain employed. Soon vaccines will be necessary if you want to be in the armed forces.

“Sports should be no different. For the good of their sports and their teammates athletes should face only one simple choice: get the shot or take the ball and go home.”

This was unquestionably the only choice the NFL could make moving into this season. The players got what they wanted, and the vaccine will not be mandated for them.

However, if (and probably more accurately, when) an outbreak occurs among unvaccinated players, and a game is forfeited by their team, they will have no one to blame but themselves.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette