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Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN
BUFFALO, NY – Two days after being fined by the NFL for violating its COVID-19 protocol, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie received his first shot.
McKenzie on Saturday shared a photo of his vaccine card in an Instagram story as the Bills prepared to host the Green Bay Packers in the team’s last preseason game. He was fined $ 14,650 on Thursday for repeatedly wearing a mask at the team’s facilities, as is required for unvaccinated players.
His short video showing his vaccination card was titled “For the Greater Good.”
On Friday, the Bills activated wide receiver Cole Beasley from the reserve list / COVID-19 along with teammates Gabriel Davis, Vernon Butler and Star Lotulelei.
Despite giving COVID-19 a negative, the four players placed on the reserve list after the NFL appointed them close contacts to a vaccinated training staff member who tested positive for the virus Tuesday morning. Each player spent five days outside the facility, retroactively at the exhibition.
Beasley was also fined for not wearing a mask, saying he was trapped during a brief walk to the team’s premises.
Coach Sean McDermott said there has been a “relentless” effort by the team to educate their players and that the Bills “have done our part in education.” McDermott said he had heard some “positive conversations” about the vaccine after last week’s events and that while he respects each player’s decision, he is still strongly in favor of players receiving the vaccine.
“I won’t hide behind the fact that I’m passionate about doing what’s right, whether it’s COVID or anything else,” McDermott said. “I respect the position of people in many areas. Viously, obviously, this is a hot topic. There are a lot of hot topics right now in our country. Respect is important. It doesn’t mean I’m not passionate about my position and my passionate about what I think is right for the good of this country. In my opinion, that means getting vaccinated. “
Last week, McDermott estimated that 81% of Bills were vaccinated.