Terrelle Pryor has not played since the 2018 season, and the quarterback-turned-wideout only suited up for eight contests that year. But the former 1,000-yard receiver said a team has offered a workout. This will come to pass only if he has received the COVID-19 vaccine, which Pryor indicated he has not done as of this past weekend (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio).
The NFLPA bargained for player vaccines being optional, though it is mandatory for staffers in order to work with players directly. And teams are not permitted to cut players because of vaccine decisions. But free agents will have less flexibility under the 2021 protocols.
Teams can ask free agents if they are vaccinated, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). A player refusing to answer this question will be treated as unvaccinated. This practice is ongoing, Sports Talk 790’s Aaron Wilson tweets, noting several free agents have been asked about their vaccination status thus far.
[RELATED: NFL, NFLPA Agree To Virus Protocols]
Given the protocol disparity between vaccinated an unvaccinated players, it certainly makes sense for teams to inquire before committing to a free agent. Free agents who have not received the coronavirus vaccine must go through the five-day testing period that newcomers navigated in 2020. Players who have received the vaccine are also exempt from being classified as a high-risk close contact, a designation that cost numerous players practice and game time last season. It will also be up to teams to classify their respective rosters’ vaccinated and unvaccinated players, Florio adds.
Free agents at this point of the year generally do not qualify as essential pieces, and a team would be taking a risk were it to sign an unvaccinated role player. Pryor is now 32 and, after his 1,007-yard season for the 2016 Browns, totaled just 492 between the 2017 and ’18 campaigns. Pryor was stabbed in 2019, and his 2020 comeback attempt did not end up taking shape. A potential last chance at an NFL gig may hinge on his vaccine decision.
He just needs to move on with his life and accept that he blew his chance.
If you got the vax, good for you. Your choice
If you did not get the vax, good for you. Your choice.
First sensible response I have seen.
Well, that certainly is some bull
If you don’t get a job, good for them. Their choice.
I think it’s more:
If you got the vax, good for you, good for your community. Your choice.
If you did not get the vax, good for you, bad for your community. Your choice.
“Pryor, it’s completely your choice to get vaccinated or not, we won’t force you, but if you want a chance at football again and big money then you have to get vaccinated.”
I agree with the person above, you got vaccinated, good, you didn’t get vaccinated, also good. It’s the people’s choice and they shouldn’t be “forced” into like this.
i mean, the thing about the whole “you can chose to work somehwere where they dont require it” doesnt exactly apply in this situation. the vaccine is a league thing. it’s across the board – all employers. sure maybe you can try another league, but is it the same as, say, an office worker moving to another company?
It’s the teams choice to not sign him then. Pretty simple.
Honestly I’m happy people stand further away in line, why are you so close it will not make the line go faster
I mean “big money” feels like a huge stretch, 15% chance of signing somewhere and 1% chance at making a roster maybe, he was washed up a few years ago
Correct me if i’m wrong but isn’t this a violation of his medical rights?
lol no
100% not a violation of his medical rights, teams can ask, that’s not forcing you to do anything, doubt they’d like it but he’s more then welcome to refuse to answer as well, 100% their right not to hire him
Regardless of whether you’re for or against the vaccine, I think we can all agree this pandemic has been difficult, complicated and frustrating for all of us.
Not if you avoid all media narratives of this nonsense.
Ya just consume no media.. easy peasy
Except as this thread proves, it dictates your life and in this case your career.
Typical. You try to make a neutral statement and of course someone on here has to piss on it.
thebluemeanie –
Boy you are extremely sensitive. Didn’t see any “pissing” on your comment at all. Grow some thicker skin, fella
If Murdoch and Zuckerberg were around back in the day, we’d still have smallpox and polio.
Just curious if job applicants at PFR have to show proof of vaccination. Asking for a friend ☺
Crosseyedlemon –
Which would prove what? The rest of the writers get suspended and lose their checks for a pay period if an outbreak occurs? Completely different situation…not even close. But nice try at being cute and funny
With an avatar you could be cute too…not sure about the funny though.
P.S. Before you call out someone for being “extremely sensitive” you might want to look in the mirror.
Terrelle Pryor was never the smartest QB in the room.
Guess all those medical privacy laws aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
There is plenty of time to enjoy some privacy after your dead.