If you were making hundreds of thousands a year doing what you loved, but your job forced you to do something against your values, how would you react?
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley claims that he would rather retire than be forced to inject himself with the COVID 19 vaccine.
Everyone — Hi, I’m Cole Beasley and I’m not vaccinated!,” the star said in a tweet. “I will be outside doing what I do, I’ll be out in the public. If your scared of me then steer clear, or get vaccinated. Point. Blank. Period. I may die of covid, but I’d rather die actually living.”
Unvaccinated players in the NFL are tested daily, required to remain masked, and mandated to quarantine after exposure. Social distance rules also remain in place, Beasley cannot eat with his teammates or staff. He also cannot leave the team hotel when traveling.
These rules seem almost contradictory. Beasley can clash with players from other teams, have some skin to skin contact as he plays the game, have potential exposure to bodily fluids, share a locker room with his team… but cannot eat with them.
In another tweet the receiver said, “I’m not going to take meds for a leg that isn’t broken. I’d rather take my chances with Covid and build up my immunity that way. Eat better. Drink water. Exercise and do what I think is necessary to be a healthy individual. That is MY CHOICE based on MY experiences and what I think is best.”
He then added “If I’m forced into retirement, so be it.”
He indicated that other professionals share his beliefs but are afraid to come forward and share their positions. Doing do could cause public backlash.