Atlanta Falcons.Photo: William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty
The Atlanta Falcons are the first and only team in theNFLto be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The Falcons reached a 92-percent vaccination rate on July 23, and now have every player on the roster protected against COVID-19,” the organization said in a statement on its website.
“Each player will now enjoy the benefits of being able to work out and eat together. They won’t have to test daily, won’t have to wear masks around the facility and won’t have to quarantine following a close contact with someone who tests positive,” the statement said.
Atlanta Falcons.David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty
The comment responded to amemo the NFL sent to all 32 teamsin June addressing the future for unvaccinated players.
The league warned that if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs amongst unvaccinated players and forces a game to be canceled in the 18-week season, the team must forfeit. Last year, the NFL had to extend its season from 17 to 18 weeks asa result of outbreaks, but this year, officials have already warned they will not allow a 19th week to occur.
Unvaccinated players also face harsh restrictions during training camp and preseason games, including daily COVID-19 testing, no social events, no sponsorship activity, no eating with teammates, limited access to equipment and more. Unvaccinated staff members also have to adhere to similar rules and have limited access to players and perks.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s medical director, told theAssociated Presslast month that 80% of NFL players are vaccinated and nine teams have 90% or more vaccinated. He added that nearly all Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees have been vaccinated, too.
Atlanta Falcons.Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty
“I think we are off to an excellent start,” Sills told the outlet. “Those numbers are much higher than what we’re seeing in society as a whole. There has been a lot of movement in that area. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination).”
In addition, on Sunday, NFL Network’s Judy Battistareported, “91.7 percent of all players have at least one dose of the vaccine. 15 teams have more than 95 percent of players vaccinated.”
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
