NFL unveils strict vaccine requirements for players
Levi’s Stadium has been a COVID-19 vaccination hub the past two months. Soon, 49ers players and staff better have a valid excuse for not being vaccinated when they report for the offseason program that can begin next week.
The NFL issued a memo Tuesday outlining its push for mass vaccination against COVID-19, which might be greeted with opposition in some quarters.
Employees, which obviously includes players, must have “bona fide medical or religious ground” for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination, otherwise they won’t be allowed to enter Tier 1 or Tier 2 facilities such as the locker room, according to the memo that was posted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“The overwhelming consensus among medical and public health experts is that the most effective way for someone to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 — and the risk of infecting others — is to be vaccinated,” read the NFL’s memorandum, set forth by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, 49ers owner John York (chair of the health and safety committee) and Giants owner John Mara (chair of the management council).
NFL teams were advised to set up a Vaccination Day for employees, to have that plan in place by Monday, and to inform everyone that such vaccine passports will allow staff to shed tracking devices and loosen other COVID-19 safety criteria such as highrisk contact status.
— Cam Inman
49ERS WAIVE TIGHT END >> Chase Harrell is out of the 49ers’ tight end mix. Harrell, signed as an undrafted free agent last year, was waived Tuesday in what shouldn’t be a totally surprising move.
Harrell drew a six-game suspension in October for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The 6-foot-4 tight end from Arkansas was re-signed to a futures contract in January. Ahead of him on the depth chart were George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner and Daniel Helm. Jordan Reed is a free agent.
In Tuesday’s other move, the 49ers announced that Daniel Brunskill signed his one-year tender. He was their starting right guard to open last season before shifting over as a replacement center. He looks to start at guard this season with competition from Colton McKivitz and others.
— Cam Inman
PLAYERS CALL FOR VIRTUAL OFFSEA
SON, SHUN IN-PERSON WORK >> NFL players were locked out of team headquarters last offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, their union wants them to boycott any in-person OTAs. Members of the Broncos, Seahawks and and Super Bowl champion Buccaneers said they’ll do just that.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy countered that “NFL team facilities are the safest places in our communities thanks to our comprehensive protocols that were developed in conjunction with the NFLPA and public health officials.”
Members of the Broncos and Seahawks became the first to declare their intention to stay away from the in-person gatherings.
CARDINALS AGREE TO ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH CONNER >> The Arizona Cardinals have signed running back James Conner to a one-year contract. The Cardinals made the move after starting running back Kenyan Drake announced he was signing with the Las Vegas Raiders a few weeks ago.
The 25-year-old Conner played his first four seasons in Pittsburgh and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018.
Tennis
MEDVEDEV OUT OF MONTE CARLO AF
TER POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST >> Secondranked Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters following a positive COVID-19 test. The ATP said Medvedev has been placed in isolation. The clay-court tournament is back on the calendar with no fans attending after it was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
College football
TENNESSEE STATE MAKES EDDIE GEORGE HIRING OFFICIAL >> Tennessee State announced the hiring of former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George as the school’s football coach on Tuesday.
This is George’s first coaching job. News of George’s pending hire emerged Sunday as the Tigers were finishing the season. They finished 2-5 on the season, which was moved to the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic, giving former coach Rod Reed a career 58-61 record in 11 seasons.
Soccer
RAPINOE, MORGAN SCORE, U.S. WOMEN
BEAT FRANCE 2-0 >> Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan scored and the U.S. women’s national team beat France 2-0 in an exhibition in Le Havre, France. The United States extended its unbeaten streak to 39 games, dating to January 2019 when the Americans fell to France 3-1.
Gambling
ARIZONA BECOMES LATEST STATE TO
APPROVE SPORTS GAMBLING >> Arizona took a significant step toward legalizing gambling in time for football season when the legislature passed a bill this week legalizing sports and fantasy betting in the state.
Gov. Doug Ducey is expected to sign the bill into law quickly after it was voted through Monday by a 23-6 count. According to draftkings.com, at least 21 states already have in place or have approved legislation for legalized sports wagering in a casino or online since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates.