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Vikings Coach Who Allegedly Refused COVID Vaccine Back in the Fold
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Remember last week how that Minnesota coach left the Vikings because he allegedly didn’t want to get the COVID vaccine?
ESPN reported that Rick Dennison was out of his job as O-Line coach because of his decision, and today the Vikes announced they were bringing him back in a different capacity:
The #Vikings have named Phil Rauscher as Offensive Line Coach and added Ben Steele as the team’s Asst. Offensive Line Coach.
Due to the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols, the team has agreed to terms with former Offensive Line Coach Rick Dennison to serve as Sr. Offensive Advisor. pic.twitter.com/QwE0BptGeR
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 27, 2021
The deal here is that all Tier 1 staffers must have the vaccine. That includes coaches, scouts, front-office people, and equipment managers. This appears to be a workaround/compromise to keep Dennison on the staff, but in a different “tier” instead. He can work from outside the facility and watch film and mentor this Rauscher guy and whatnot:
#Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said Rick Dennison will join the team virtually for regular discussions.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 27, 2021
Interesting story, though. Makes you wonder if other teams will reshuffle their staff in a similar way. There were reports that other coaches have refused the vaccine, but nothing yet on the Eagles front. Nick Sirianni will be asked about COVID and vaccination status when camp opens tomorrow.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com