Smith-Schuster OK with NFL’s vaccination rules
One of the lesser-publicized protocols in place for this NFL season is that any unvaccinated players are not permitted to partake in “social media/marketing/ sponsorship activities.” If there’s any star in the league who wouldn’t be able to deal with that policy, it might be Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The Instagram-famous, video-gaming pass-catcher whose latest brand is Trojan condoms readily offered up Friday after practice that he is fully vaccinated, and he did so amid a firestorm from other players and now coaches who are criticizing the league’s approach to the pandemic.
“I think everyone has a say, everyone has a voice, everyone can — we’re all adults,” Smith-Schuster said. “At the end of the day, it’s their own health and their own body, so I can’t speak for them. I just feel like — do whatever’s right for you. For me, obviously, I got the vaccine, and that’s just how I feel. Obviously, with everything that’s going on, it’s tough for everybody and their decision, so I can understand.”
“Everything going on” lately includes Bills slot receiver Cole Beasley going on lengthy Twitter rants hammering the NFL and responding to those who question why he won’t take the vaccine.
Beasley even had an exchange arguing with one of his teammates, pass-rusher Jerry Hughes, Friday afternoon.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott declined to tell reporters in Dallas whether he’s fully vaccinated, citing HIPAA rules, which were established to provide privacy between healthcare providers and their patients.
And, as of Friday, two assistant coaches — in Minnesota and New England — are ready to sit out this season because they refuse to take the vaccine.
Asked if he has any issue with the league’s rules, or whether he thinks the NFL is essentially forcing players to get vaccinated, SmithSchuster said, “No, not at all.”
Bold prediction?
Speaking of Smith-Schuster, he might be vying for another sponsorship. While he already hawks Pizza Hut and Pepsi, it’s apparently another fast food chain that’s currently apple of his eye.
“I’ve just been eating Chick-Fil-A a lot lately,” Smith-Schuster said with a grin when asked if he put on any muscle this offseason. “I’ve got so much love for that.”
So does the latest NBA Finals MVP, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led his team to its first championship in 50 years then cruised through a Chick-Fil-A drive-thru the next morning. Smith-Schuster, ever online, saw that and got a good idea.
“Hopefully, after the Super Bowl when we win, I’ll go to Chick-Fil-A,” SmithSchuster said.
Roethlisberger limited
Training camp is only two days old, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin already “dialed back” starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger, 39, isn’t expected to see much preseason action, and especially not in the first exhibition two weeks from now, so he was held out of several team periods Friday.
That led to more reps for new quarterback Dwayne Haskins, of whom Tomlin said he likes his “approach to business. It’s been really positive.”
Presumptive left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor also continued to be held out of full participation, Tomlin confirmed, but it doesn’t seem to be anything worrisome.
“Just want to see more of the other guys,” Tomlin said, referring to his bevy of newcomers on the offensive line. “Some of these guys we know a lot about, and some of those guys we know about might not play in the Hall of Fame Game, so we’ve got to get to know some others. We’ve got to prepare some others.”