Jim Irsay says Colts are over 50% vaccination rate

Kevin Hickey
·2 min read
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Over the last month, two separate reports included the Indianapolis Colts as one of the teams with the lowest vaccination rates in the league, but owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday that those numbers are on the rise.

Both of those earlier reports had the Colts as one of just a few teams under a 50% vaccination rate. Irsay told reporters over Zoom that the team has had more players get vaccinated and that they are above that 50% mark.

“We’re over 50% and headed hopefully towards 100%,” Irsay said. “I just encourage all of our guys to get vaccinated. It’s the right thing to do, and we’re trending in that direction.’’

While 14 teams are over the 85% mark when it comes to vaccinated players, the Colts could be at a competitive disadvantage if their numbers don’t rise significantly.

The latest memo from the NFL caused a stir given the new rules pertaining to outbreaks. If a team has an outbreak and the game cannot be played, the team with the outbreak forfeits. On top of that, no player on either side will be getting a game check if that happens.

You can see why that would cause an issue in the locker room. Players don’t mess around when it comes to their game checks.

“Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do, and it’s crazy right now to see people dying in hospitals because they wouldn’t get vaccinated,” Irsay said. “And of course the internet spreads all sorts of crazy rumors, and people come up with unfounded theories that have no scientific data, no medical data to back it up. It’s an aspect of the society we live in.’’

Irsay still believes it’s a personal choice to get vaccinated but one that he’s fully behind.

“It’s one of those things where logic has it. You get vaccinated,’’ Irsay said. “It’s the best choice. All choices have risks, there’s no question, and you respect the personal choice that people have out there for their health.”

It will be interesting what the numbers will look like closer to the season, but it’s clear Irsay wants his team to get vaccinated.