Irvin: Cowboys 'not thinking right' by missing vaccine threshold

Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin is disappointed that the Dallas Cowboys have yet to reach the 85% COVID-19 vaccine threshold ahead of training camp.

"It should upset them," Irvin said of the Cowboys' vaccination rate, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "Dude, you're not thinking right. You're not thinking right. Whatever you got, I don't give a damn. ... Nothing else can be more important."

Irvin said the team's vaccination rate reflects poorly on its commitment to a Super Bowl pursuit.

"Nothing else is more important," he said. "And not being one of the (teams to reach 85%) says there's other things to a great number of people on this team that are more important than winning championships, and that makes me worried."

The NFL and National Football League Players Association agreed in May to relaxed health and safety measures for teams with 85% COVID-19 vaccination rates. Under the new rules, vaccinated players aren't required to wear masks, face less frequent COVID-19 tests, and are allowed to eat meals with other vaccinated teammates.

Unvaccinated players must wear masks around team facilities and face travel restrictions and daily testing.

The Cowboys have not reached the threshold to be eligible for relaxed protocols, though the exact percentage of Dallas players vaccinated remains unknown.

Irvin focused his message on the Cowboys but believes it applies to every team that hasn't reached 85% vaccinations.

"If you're not one of them teams (at the threshold), are you really thinking about winning a championship?" he said.

The Cowboys legend added that players who opt not to get vaccinated could risk losing their roster spots.

"Let's go through this because this could be a two-week healthy dude missing games, and in this league, this ain't the NBA. In this league, that could be it for you," he said. "The right person misses two weeks, that's it. Your ass is out."

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