Posted on 12/03/2021 11:30:11 AM PST by nickcarraway
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Friday that he believes the NFL needs to take a closer look at other teams after two of his players -- Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards -- and one former player, John Franklin III, were found to have provided fake vaccination cards.
"We've done everything. There's a lot more to that story. I just hope they don't stop looking," said Arians, who two weeks ago said that he had no reason to believe Brown or any player falsified their vaccination status.
But an NFL investigation revealed that the three players presented the team with fake vaccination cards, resulting in a three-game suspension. Carrying a fake vaccine card also is considered a federal crime and punishable by up to five years in prison.
When asked if he believes there are other issues throughout the league, he said, "Maybe."
The NFL told ESPN on Thursday that there are no plans to alter how teams collect and vet vaccination cards. A big reason for that is because of the 94.5% of players who are vaccinated, 80% were vaccinated at team facilities, according to league spokesperson Brian McCarthy, minimizing the potential risk for falsification. The NFL will continue to rely on teams to inspect vaccine cards.
The NFL did not levy a fine on the Buccaneers, unlike previous team COVID-19 violations such as a $500,000 fine issued against the Las Vegas Raiders last year or the $300,000 fine on the Green Bay Packers recently, believing they too were misled about the players' vaccination statuses, a source told ESPN.
Arians also defended his team's handling of the virus.
"In the last two years, I don't know if there's been a team better at COVID than we've been. This is a setback because of what happened. But we have done an amazing job, and even when the guys -- we have never had an outbreak in a position room. So I'm very happy with that part."
He expressed anger over the players' decisions after the team worked hard to keep the virus out of the building. The team's mantra all last season was "beat the virus" and the organization has long credited its approach to handling the virus as a key reason why Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl.
They even were praised by President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House this summer for their approach to handling the virus, which included vaccinating 200,000 members of the community.
"It pisses me off," Arians said. "But it is what it is."
Arians said the team will treat both Brown and Edwards as injured players and will not address their respective futures with the team until after they return. Brown has an ankle injury that will keep him out for at least another two weeks, sources told ESPN. Edwards is dealing with a knee injury.
This coach’s last name has triggered me. I need to go to my safe space.
Tom Brady is NOT going to be happy about these guys.
“said Arians, who two weeks ago said that he had no reason to believe Brown or any player falsified their vaccination status.”
He also said they had examined ALL certificates ...
I bet Bradys was fake too.
Just get the #1 shot (saline) rather than the #2 or more dealy #3 shot. The witch hunt continues.
Antonio Brown got 3 games in jail. One more than his injury status.
Purists around here don’t like the approach, but lying and fakery is a great way to make pfascism crash and burn.
Why? You don’t think his wife made sure?
Himler is hoping Hitler continues to look into the Jewish status of Europeans.
That’s unnecessarily inflammatory.
Awww does that trigger the nazi in you
Arians . . . what a maroon!
Felons is as felons does...
Copyright Forrest Gump /s
Who died Bruce?
Ariens hates the vax police as much as anybody but has to support the company line.
The league office is nothing more than a mafia operation preying on the goodwill of the average American. The players know the score.....
The fans certainly aren't afraid as they squeeze into a capacity crowd of 80 or 90 thousand to watch the boys play, but most, if not nearly all of the players and coaches and executives are frightened nearly out of their small, weak minds to be in a locker room where there is even one un-"vaccinated" player. It's truly unbelievable ... the cowardice ... it's truly unbelievable.
How is that a felony? The only job that I had to prove that I vaccinated was for working in a nursing home and that was for tuberculosis.
Hmmm...
Nothing in my reply was about stating that getting jabbed was a felony...
Nothing...
It was about the “National Felons League” which, outside of Freeperdom, is referred to as the NFL..
You called the NFL the National “Felons” League. I know many players committ criminal acts, but that doesn’t make them all felons. The pious attitude by many freepers is very off putting. How many more people can come to God or at least change their lives if forgiven and given a second chance. Yes, not everyone will. Many will succumb to evil acts. Nevertheless, I think many criminal laws on the books are overreaching.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.