In a since-deleted tweet, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins questioned his future in the NFL due to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hopkins said in the 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.” The tweet was deleted about 30 minutes after it was posted; Hopkins then later tweeted: “Freedom?” ”

The tweets were posted on the same day the NFL announced that teams that had COVID-19 outbreaks among unvaccinated players could be forced to forfeit games. The NFL said more than half of its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80% of their players, and more than 75% of players are in the process of being vaccinated. Nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100% of their Tier 1 and 2 staff. Teams have appropriate protocols set up for staffers who have not been vaccinated, consistent with the guidance given last April.

Hopkins played the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Texans before he was traded to the Cardinals prior to the 2020 season. He has 10,009 receiving yards, the 49th most in NFL history.

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