HELP TACKLE VIRUS
Former N.Y. gridiron stars join gov in push for vaccines
Gov. Hochul was joined by NFL greats from New York’s three pro football teams on Thursday to urge fans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 — although they didn’t exactly agree on whom to root for on Sunday.
“Together we can beat the disease and get back to normal,” said Bruce Smith, the former All-Pro defensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills.
“Get vaccinated. Protect your loved ones. And go Bills.”
Former Jets running back Tony Richardson wholeheartedly agreed with Smith’s message about the importance of getting vaccinated. But he couldn’t resist cheering his own team over their AFC East rivals from upstate.
“Thank you, Giants, Thank you Bills,” he said. “And go Jets.”
The grid stars joined Hochul as she announced an incentive program called Vax and Win that offers free tickets to upcoming home games as prizes.
One-time Giants star Carl Banks and former Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet also boasted that they are fully vaccinated and urged fans to get their shots.
They said the NFL, like the rest of the country, can get back to normal life if enough people get vaccinated.
“It was nice to be back at a game,” Chrebet said, referring to full stadiums across the nation.
Banks used an old football adage to urge even more New Yorkers to get vaccinated.
“They say the best defense is a great offense,” he said. “Let’s go on the offense against this COVID virus and get vaccinated,” Banks said.
Hochul, a Buffalo native, and avowed Bills fan admitted needling Banks over Big Blue’s upset win in Super Bowl XXV over the Bills.
“I think we’re OK now,” she said with a grin. “We can be in the same room.”
Like the NFL stars alongside her, Hochul said she is “very competitive” and has a burning desire to defeat the scourge of COVID.
“I want to win this game,” she said. “I want to beat back COVID. To me, that’s our Super Bowl.”