'I got about 9 more years in me': Anti-vaxx Cardinals star Deandre Hopkins walks back comments questioning his future in the NFL as teams face forfeits for COVID-19 outbreaks in push to get players vaccinated

Arizona Cardinals receiver Deandre Hopkins has insisted he'll be playing in the NFL for 'nine more years' - despite stirring controversy on Twitter with his anti-vaccination stance. 

Earlier Hopkins had posted that he was questioning his future in the league because of a new vaccination policy, but later deleted the tweet.

NFL teams were recently warned that they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, with both rosters potentially forgoing pay in that event. 

Hopkins, who is set to be paid $19.5 million next season, objected to the decision in a since-deleted tweet: '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.'  

About an hour after deleting the post, he explained his reasoning in another tweet: 'My girlfriend's brother in the military got the vaccine and had heart problems right after. When you stand for something they hate you!'

Later in the evening, he tweeted, ‘Btw I got about 9 more years in me, y’all have a good day.'  

But some users were unimpressed, with one replying: ‘Less if you get Covid’. 

Another echoed her remark, tweeting, ‘Not if you don’t get vaccinated.’ 

Hopkins had posted that he was questioning his future in the League because of a new vaccination policy, but later deleted the tweet

In a since-deleted tweet, Deandre Hopkins complained about the new NFL policies 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement about rules changes on Thursday in a memo sent to clubs that was obtained by DailyMail.com.

He wrote: 'As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions,' 

Goodell says the league doesn't not anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that can't be rescheduled within 18-week regular season.

However, forfeits are among the consequences.

'If a game can't be rescheduled and is canceled due to a COVID outbreak among non-vaccinated players on one of the competing teams, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and will be deemed to have played 16 games for purposes of draft, waiver priority, etc,' Goodell says in the memo.

 

NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players with both rosters potentially forgoing pay in that event. 'As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions,' Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo that was obtained by DailyMail.com

For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team will be credited with a loss and the other team will be credited with a win.

The league says more than half its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80 percent of their players, and more than 75 percent of players are in the process of being vaccinated.

Nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100 percent of their Tier 1 and 2 staffs. Teams have appropriate protocols set up for staffers who have not been vaccinated, consistent with the guidance given last April.

Among the other key points in the memo:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the league doesn't not anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that can't be rescheduled within 18-week regular season. However, forfeits are among the consequences. 'If a game can't be rescheduled and is canceled due to a COVID outbreak among non-vaccinated players on one of the competing teams, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and will be deemed to have played 16 games for purposes of draft, waiver priority, etc,' Goodell says in the memo, which was obtained by DailyMail.com

Los Angeles Chargers assistant special teams coach Mayur Chaudhari wears a face mask while talking with receiver Josh Palmer during rookie minicamp at Hoag Performance Center

Previously Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley condemned both the NFL and the players' union over new COVID-19 protocols that lift constraints on vaccinated players while continuing to restrict those who have not received the injections.

Through an agreement with the NFL Players Association , the league announced last month that daily tests, masks and social distancing requirements would be dropped for vaccinated players.

Beasley, who is unvaccinated, was unhappy about the continued restrictions he faces. Specifically, the 32-year-old took issue with a rule barring unvaccinated players from leaving the team hotel or interacting with people outside the club on road trips.

'This is crazy,' Beasley wrote on Twitter Thursday. 'Did we vote on this? I stay in the hotel. We still have meetings. We will all be together. Vaccinated players can go out the hotel and bring covid back in to where I am. So what does it matter if I stay in the hotel now? 100 percent immune with vaccination? No.'  

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley has condemned both the NFL and the players' union over new COVID-19 protocols that lift constraints on vaccinated players while continuing to restrict those who have not received the injections

Beasley released a statement in June, doubling down on his anti-vaccination stance

Beasley, who is unvaccinated, is unhappy about the continued restrictions he faces. Specifically, the 32-year-old took issue with a rule barring unvaccinated players from leaving the team hotel or interacting with people outside the club on road trips

Beasley did not simply take issue with the league, but rather, specifically called out the NFLPA.

'The players association is a joke,' he tweeted. 'Call it something different. It's not for the players. Everyone gives me the 98 percent of people who are vaccinated don't get covid again. The odds of me getting in the NFL and playing for 10 years are lower than that and I'm here.'

Inoculated players will also be allowed to use steam rooms or saunas going forward, and they can take advantage of sponsorship opportunities, which had been restricted under previous COVID-19 protocols.

'So what are we really talking about?' Beasley asked in another tweet. 'I understand completely why the NFL is doing this. It gives them back the freedom to make the most money as possible again if everyone is vaccinated. But will anyone fight for the players or nah?'

Beasley previously responded on Twitter to a CNN story mask requirements being lifted across the country.

'I do that without being vaccinated,' he said. 'Is this illegal now?'

Beasley expanded on his position in a statement on Friday. 

'Look, I'm going to live my one life like I want to regardless,' he began. 

'Everyone - Hi, I'm Cole Beasley and I'm not vaccinated! I will be outside doing what I do. I'll be out in public. If your scared of me then steer clear, or get vaccinated. Point. Blank. Period.

'I may die of covid, but I'd rather die actually living.

'I'm not going to take meds for a leg that isn't broken. I'd rather take my chances with Covid and build up my immunity that way. Eat better. Drink water. Exercise and do what I think is necessary to be a healthy individual. That is MY CHOICE based on MY experiences and what I think is best.' 

The vaccination dilemma has been felt across the NFL, with players such as Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold saying he will not be getting the injection. Even Beasley's own quarterback, Josh Allen, said as recently as April that he was not vaccinated.

However, Bills coach Sean McDermott thinks his team, and the country, are both improving on the issue.

'We feel like we know that in our country and around the league where and how things are improving, and to me there's a direct correlation to people getting vaccinated,' McDermott told reporters in June. 'I would like to continue to see our team move in that direction, continue to move an increased number of people that are getting vaccinated.

'It's good to have the guys here, but I think the reality of our situation is that now - but also for sure come the fall, training camp - protocols are going to continue to be enforced, in particular for those who are unvaccinated as it relates to the masking and the different things that are in place. Just trying to be real about it and make sure people understand what normal is gonna look like, in particular for those who are unvaccinated come the fall.'

The NFL and NFLPA detailed new protocols for vaccinated players in another recent memo