Kirk Cousins declares that he will remain unvaccinated shortly after coming off reserve COVID-19 list

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins won’t receive the COVID-19 vaccine despite just recently coming off the NFL’s reserve COVID-19 list.

“I think the vaccination decision is a private health matter for me, and I’m going to keep it as such,” Cousins said. “I do believe that as a leader of the team it’s very important to follow the protocols to avoid this close contact because that is what it’s going to come down to. Did you have a close contact? So I’m going to be vigilant about avoiding a close contact.

 

“I’ve even thought about, should I just set up literally plexiglass around where I sit so that this could never happen again? I’ve thought about it. Because I’m going to do whatever it takes. So we’re going to avoid this close-contact thing and I look forward to making sure I’m playing for every game this year.”

It’s interesting that Cousins says he will do whatever it takes to avoid being a close contact, but he is unwilling to receive the vaccine. Of course, the vaccine has been a point of contention within the NFL and society at large.

The NFL has enforced stricter rules in 2021 for games that have to be moved due to players landing on the COVID-19 list if they are unvaccinated, but the Vikings will proceed with Cousins as their starting quarterback.