ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins expresses concern about COVID-19 vaccine

Jul 22, 2021, 2:41 PM

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in an off-season workout at...

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in an off-season workout at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on June 02, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins expressed his concern with the COVID-19 vaccine on Twitter Thursday.

In a series of tweets, Hopkins presumably was reacting to the news the NFL released earlier in the day that a team would have to forfeit if a locker room had a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players.

Hopkins’ first tweet was deleted, indicating that he has not been vaccinated.

Never thought I would say this, But being put in a position to hurt my team because I don’t want to partake in the vaccine is making me question my future in the @Nfl

After deleting that, Hopkins tweeted shortly after:

Hopkins followed up on a tweet from Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, with Hopkins adding that part of his hesitation is because his girlfriend’s brother got vaccinated and had side effects after.

His last tweet was a reaction to someone supporting his stance, writing, “They love you one minute then hate you the next! Know thyself.”

After it was reported in mid-July that the Cardinals had under 50% of their roster vaccinated, that number was bumped over 50% the following day. The Associated Press reported on July 16 that roughly 73% of NFL players had been vaccinated.

Federally approved vaccines are widely available and highly effective in stopping the transmission of COVID-19, including the more contagious delta variant that accounts for most of the new cases in the U.S.

COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in Arizona and across the country. The state on Thursday had its fourth straight day with at least 1,000 cases reported.

Looking at cases from the specific day the tests were done via the Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 dashboard, the last time prior to July that a number reached 1,000 was March 1. With results continuing to come in from more recent days, Arizona now has had at least 1,000 positive cases daily from July 12-16.

Hospitalizations related to COVID-19, meanwhile, have been going up, with unvaccinated people accounting for almost all of the serious illnesses, according to health officials. The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients in the state’s hospitals increased by 27 overnight to 868 on Wednesday, the most since March 10. The number of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients went up by 14 to 237, the most since March 12.

The percent positivity for diagnostic testing conducted last week was 12% as of Thursday’s update, the highest since early February. It was up to 13% so far for this week’s reports.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

8 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

11 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins expresses concern about COVID-19 vaccine