Joe Flacco Says He is Not Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Flacco has only played in one game this season.

Jets quarterback Joe Flacco took the podium Wednesday and, while wearing a mask, said he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He did not want to go into detail on his decision.

He said he wouldn't mind giving his reasoning for not getting vaccinated but added that it would be a "distraction" if he did. Instead, he preferred to just talk football. 

#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, who was wearing a mask in the indoor press conference, says he’s not vaccinated. Flacco said he has his reasons and would like to talk about it, but he won’t because he believes it will create a distraction. #jets

— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) November 17, 2021

The Jets traded for Flacco back in October when Zach Wilson went down with a PCL injury in Week 7. Flacco was announced as the started earlier Wednesday — beating out Mike White for the job. 

So far this season, he's appeared in only one game and went 3-for-3 on pass attempts for 47 yards and a touchdown.

"One of the reasons we went and got Joe is for the experience part of it," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "Not only for the playing ability but also for situations just like this."

The veteran signal-caller will lead the 2–7 Jets against the 3–7 Dolphins this Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.  

Coach Saleh on the decision to start QB Joe Flacco this week against Miami. pic.twitter.com/lV3IBZL9ql

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 17, 2021

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