Former Chargers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko is demanding answers over a COVID-19 vaccine he says he felt pressured to receive to protect his NFL career.
“Six years later, dealing with the side effects of a vaccine nobody wanted to get but forced on players if we wanted to keep our job,” Fehoko wrote on X. “The people deserve the truth.”
Fehoko did not identify which vaccine he received, describe his symptoms or say whether doctors have diagnosed a vaccine-related condition. That leaves the cause and severity of his reported health issues unclear.
The NFLPA maintained in 2021 that vaccination was not formally required for players. Unvaccinated players, however, faced stricter testing, masking, quarantine and travel rules that could affect their availability and standing with teams.
Fehoko argued that established stars had more freedom to refuse than undrafted players fighting for roster spots.
“Some guys don’t make $40 million a year,” he responded when asked why he had not followed players such as Cole Beasley. “A young rookie straight out of college hungry to achieve his dream with no finances? Obviously you’re holding him hostage to decisions he’s forced to make.”
Several prominent players did choose to remain unvaccinated or publicly expressed hesitation.
Beasley became one of the league’s loudest critics of the protocols and said he would rather retire than be forced to receive the vaccine. Aaron Rodgers’ status became a national controversy after he said he was “immunized,” while Kirk Cousins, Carson Wentz and Montez Sweat also confirmed they were unvaccinated.
Sam Darnold publicly said he wanted more information before deciding. Cam Newton missed practice time under rules governing unvaccinated players before later receiving the vaccine.
Scientific research recognizes that persistent symptoms following vaccination have been reported, but establishing causation in an individual case requires medical evaluation.
One study involving 498 vaccinated medical professionals found that 16% reported symptoms lasting longer than one month, most commonly fatigue, menstrual changes and muscle or joint pain. The study relied on self-reported information and did not prove that vaccination caused every reported condition.
Stanford researchers have also studied rare cases of myocarditis following mRNA vaccination, particularly among younger males. Most cases appeared shortly after vaccination and resolved, while COVID-19 infection itself carried a higher myocarditis risk.
Fehoko’s post does not establish what caused his current symptoms.
It does, however, reopen a complicated pandemic-era question: how voluntary was the choice for players without the money, leverage or job security to say no?
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
