Bruce Arians (C), head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy after the 31-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Florida, U.S., February 7, 2021. /CFP
The NFL will fine unvaccinated players $14,650 every time they violate the league's coronavirus protocols, according to ESPN.
The cable sports channel first learned that Bruce Arians, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would find a player "$14,000 on the spot every time he isn't wearing a mask or is breaking a protocol."
"NFL policy. League rules," Arians told ESPN in a text message. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed to ESPN that the Bucs coach understood the league rule correctly.
According Arians, about 85 percent of his team's players will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when the Bucs complete the final roster cuts. Nonetheless, there are voices opposing vaccination.
Joe Biden (#46), president of the United States, poses for a portrait with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 20, 2021. /CFP
"Vaccine I can't do it," Bucs running back Leonard Fournette posted on Twitter on Thursday. He ran for 448 yards from scrimmage last season in the playoffs, more than anyone else in the league.
"If they get rid of me for sharing information to the misinformed, then so be it!" Tweeted cornerback Antonio Hamilton, who called vaccination "experiments."
The Washington Football Team already had experts available to address their players' concerns individually, but the Bucs have not done so yet, according to Arians. If any player does not want to get vaccinated, "just follow last year's rules," said Arians.
The Bucs defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to win Super Bowl LV at home in their first season with quarterback Tom Brady – who won it his seventh time. They visited the White House on Tuesday, received their rings on Thursday and will begin training camp on Sunday.