Miami Dolphins Are The Republican Party Of Professional Football

Much like the GOP, the Dolphins promise the world to their supporters, only to stab them in the back when it really counts.

NFL quarterback opposed to getting COVID-19 vaccine says he finally got the shot after league 'forced my hand'



Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill hadn't been planning on getting a COVID-19 vaccination — until the National Football League "forced my hand," he told reporters at a Thursday news conference.

What did else he say?

"I'm currently in the [vaccination] process right now," Tannehill told reporters after a question about the league's new vaccine protocols. "The NFL has kind of made it clear what they want to happen, and if you don't fall in line, they're gonna try to make your life kinda miserable with all the protocols."

Tannehill also said the result is that most players are getting the shots.

Last week, the NFL issued a lengthy memo announcing possible penalties for unvaccinated players and their teams, including loss of pay and game forfeits.

Later in the news conference, Tannehill elaborated on his reluctant decision: "I wouldn't have gotten the vaccine without the protocols that they're enforcing on us. I think it's a personal decision for everyone. Everyone has to make the best decision for them and their families. That's kind of our mindset in this building. But they're trying to force your hand, and they ultimately have forced a lot of hands by the protocols."

He added that the league's COVID-19 rules — and the potential for reduced camaraderie among teammates due to rules separating unvaccinated players from vaccinated players — "forced my hand into getting the vaccine."

When asked if his mind was put at ease after getting the shot, Tannehill chuckled and said "not really." But he declined to answer a question regarding his reasons for his vaccine hesitancy.

Daily Intentionality, Focus, Attention to Detail | Ryan Tannehill Press Conferenceyoutu.be

Anything else?

Tannehill is far from the only player to have expressed doubts about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Arizona Cardinals superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins implied he would consider retiring rather than take the vaccine. And cornerback Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams tweeted his support for unvaccinated players: "I know 2 people right now who got the vaccine but are COVID positive. I'm just saying. I wouldn't look at a teammate as bad if he don't get the vax."

But defensive end Jerry Hughes of the Buffalo Bills criticized players who refused to be vaccinated: "Sooo the top scientists in the entire world got together to figure out how to combat COVID-19. And when they came up with a vaccine, you question them. They are trying to save lives and you have doubt."

Miami Herald Defenestrates Cuban Sports Reporter For Criticizing White Millionaire QB

Armando Salguero said he was 'sick of the America bashing by people who have never lived and would never live anywhere else.' The Miami Herald's publisher called his comment 'deeply troubling.'

NFL team cancels practice, tells media 'This country is founded upon racist ideas'



The NFL's Tennessee Titans canceled practice Thursday and instead held a virtual news conference during which quarterback Ryan Tannehill said the United States is "founded upon racist ideas," according to the Tennessean.

With the entire team standing behind them, Tannehill and safety Kevin Byard explained why they decided not to practice, and spoke about the changes they want to see.

"We feel that with all the recent events that's happened in our country, not only just this year, not only the past year, but the past hundreds of years, we decided that it's time to take a stand today," Byard said. We feel that with this moment right here, and today, with my brother Ryan [Tannehill] standing next to me and all my brothers standing behind me, we wanted to show solidarity and be unified, and say that we're tired."

Byard referenced police brutality against black people, and expressed concern about the environment his young children would grow up in.

"We're sick and tired of seeing the things that's been going on, on social media for the entertainment," Byard continued. "Seeing our black brothers and sisters be murdered by police like it's nothing, it's time for a change. … I just had a son, just Sunday. I have a 1-year-old daughter, and I have no clue what I'm going to tell them or what kind of world that they're going to grow up in, in this country."

Tannehill spoke after Byard, and called for an end to centuries of systemic oppression in the U.S.

"This country is founded upon racist ideas with slaves being brought here from the day of foundation, and those ideas have persisted throughout the last hundreds of years, and it's going to take time until we can get those all out," Tannehill said. "But we're tired of it. We're tired of dealing with the systematic oppression. We're tired of dealing with excessive force. We're tired of seeing black men and women die in situations where they should be walking home and spending the night with their families. It's sickening."

Athletes in the NBA, MLB, and MLS refused to play scheduled games this week after the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The NBA considered cancelling its entire postseason in protest, although it eventually opted to resume play.

Blake was shot seven times in the back during an altercation with police, who had been called by his girlfriend. The girlfriend accused Blake of stealing her keys and refusing to leave. Police shot Blake as he reached into his car, where they say they found a knife on the floor.