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New York Jets

Jets’ Joe Flacco disappoints media with unvaccinated status reveal

Joe Flacco is set to start Sunday after the Mike White fascination ended

By Alejandro Avila OutKick
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Interim New York Jets starting quarterback Joe Flacco wore a mask to a press session on Wednesday, revealing his unvaccinated status to reporters.

Flacco arrived to talk with reporters over his upcoming start against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. His mask-wearing was compliant with the NFL rule for all unvaccinated players to wear a cover to appear on the podium, a mandate recently thwarted by Aaron Rodgers.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 14: Joe Flacco #19 of the New York Jets on the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on November 14, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 14: Joe Flacco #19 of the New York Jets on the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on November 14, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Wanting no part of the vaccinated vs. unvaccinated debate, Flacco traipsed around the focus on his status.

"I definitely have my reasons," Flacco commented. "I’d honestly like to talk about this topic more than anybody. It’s one of those things you debate all the time, but I’ve overall felt like it’s more of a distraction than anything. So I feel like to talk about it too much and give you all my beliefs is more of a distraction than anything. I think the most important thing is going to play a football game."

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: New York Jets Quarterback Joe Flacco (19) intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets on November 14, 2021 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: New York Jets Quarterback Joe Flacco (19) intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets on November 14, 2021 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Jets acquired Flacco via trade with the Eagles on Oct. 25. Though he understands the risk it poses to his availability, Flacco assured reporters that he based his decision not to be vaccinated on a well-rounded look at the League’s response and the vaccine itself.

"We all know what the rules are. So when those things happen, we’ve all been told what the protocols are, and we’re all following the protocols. Whether you believe it or not, it is what it is. If you want to go out there and play the game you love, you have to do what you have to do."

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford.

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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According to OutKick’s Nick Geddes, "the NFL is implementing heightened COVID-19 protocols around Thanksgiving. The protocols include mandatory masking and testing of all players and staff twice a day after Thanksgiving. The NFL is encouraging teams to test players and staff visiting friends and family for the holiday."