Early on Wednesday, news broke that the New York Jets would start veteran Joe Flacco this weekend against the Miami Dolphins. The Jets had traded for Flacco a few weeks back when Zach Wilson was injured in order to shore up their quarterback depth.
Flacco did see some action in last weekend’s game that also instilled some hope for the franchise. While then-starter Mike White struggled, Flacco entered the game in cleanup duty, throwing for 47 yards and a touchdown on three passes.
Flacco met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the move and he was noticeably wearing a mask at the podium. When asked about it, Flacco told reporters that it’s because he is not vaccinated.
#Jets QB Joe Flacco says he is not vaccinated — why he’s wearing a mask
Says he “has his reasons” and would like to talk about this topic, but “overall I feel like it’s more of a distraction” to talk about it.
So he prefers not to give his beliefs & instead just play football
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) November 17, 2021
Joe Flacco confirmed he’s not vaccinated. Hence, the mask. Says he has his reasons, but doesn’t want to create a “distraction” by going into it. #Jets pic.twitter.com/x3Arg4cR8z
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 17, 2021
“Honestly would probably like to talk about this topic more than anybody, it’s one of those things you debate with all the time but overall I’ve felt like it’s more of a distraction than anything,” said Flacco. “I feel like to talk about it too much and give y’all my beliefs is more of a distraction than anything. I think the most important thing is going to play a football game.”
He claimed to reporters that he didn’t follow the drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers and the Packers the last couple of weeks. However, he said that “we all know what the rules are” and “we’re all following the protocols.”
That said, Flacco and the Jets might be looking at a fine now that his vaccination status is public because he didn’t wear a mask in his initial press conference following the trade on October 29.
Here’s Joe Flacco on Oct. 29th doing a press conference with reporters without a mask. https://t.co/LQmcOzmFft pic.twitter.com/XKsQh8uJBa
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) November 17, 2021
For the time being, it sounds like Flacco is aware of the situation and willing to deal with the consequences. But in the meantime, his vaccination status has certainly sent up a flare on social media as NFL fans and media folks reacted to the news.
Tom Brady, a man who believes that being hydrated prevents sunburns, has been vaccinated. Joe Flacco and the rest of these QBs have no excuse https://t.co/ajMmjKCEKk
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) November 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/thebennatan/status/1461074389345177601
Wouldn't want that! https://t.co/ZaP6XVRB6u
— Patrick Claybon (@PatrickClaybon) November 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/normcharlatan/status/1461078331747672069
The Jets’ second Joe Flacco Era might be brief as Zach Wilson is set to return soon, but at least now we know it will be memorable, one way or another.
