Former NFL defensive back TJ Ward has issued a public apology for his response to Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera over players’ COVID-19 vaccination rates.
In his apology, Ward said he first personally apologized to Rivera for his insensitive comments.
“Over the course of this past week, I logged off of social media and took time to not only reflect on my words, but to speak with some of those offended by them. I apologized personally to Coach Rivera, and I would like to use the opportunity to apologize publicly to anyone else that I may have offended,” Ward said.
Last week, Rivera expressed he was “beyond frustrated” at the pace of his players getting vaccinated. Washington started training camp with the NFL’s lowest vaccination rate among players. Rivera also stated he was concerned because he is immune deficient after battling squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer last year.
That prompted TJ Ward to fire back at the head coach in a series of tweets on Twitter. One of his comments insinuated Rivera’s life choices led to his contracting cancer.
“Don’t blame the players for your life long health decisions,” Ward tweeted.
“At some point you gotta pay for them vices,” Ward continued in another tweet. “Cancer runs in my family like many American families. But also bad diets and cigarettes do as well. Except responsibility. Don’t blame and be disappointed in your 23 year olds cus they have they own bodies and opinions about there health.”
Since, the Washington Football Team has improved to 84% of the roster receiving at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccination. But not before the team had as many as seven players placed on the reserved/COVID-19 list.
Rivera has made a conscious effort to persuade the players on the team to get vaccinated. He brought in medical experts during mini-camp in June. On Sunday the team set up a number of its players to get the vaccination during the team’s off day in training camp.
