Bills receiver steps up and gets vaccinated, but not Cole Beasley

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie receives the COVID-19 vaccine after getting fined for not wearing a mask.

The Buffalo Bills have been at the center of the COVID-19 vaccine topic in the NFL. Earlier this week, wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie shared a letter he received from the league, which contained a $14,650 fine for not wearing a mask in the team’s facility as an unvaccinated individual.

On Saturday, prior to Buffalo’s preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers, McKenzie revealed on his Instagram account that he has received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He posted a video of himself holding up his COVID-19 vaccination card with a caption reading, ” for the greater good.”

Isaiah McKenzie receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine following fine

McKenzie shared the letter from the league earlier this week, where he wrote “you got me, @NFL you win.”

Fellow wide receiver Cole Beasley, who has been outspokenly against receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, shared his thoughts by quote tweeting McKenzie’s message. He went on a rant about him being deemed a close contact of a fully vaccinated staff member who tested positive for COVID and sent home before saying he does not understand the purpose of wearing a mask.

In addition to Beasley, Gabriel Davis, Matt Milano and A.J. Klein were also sent home for five days after being deemed close contacts.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that after being fined by the league, McKenzie was subject to increased discipline if he were to have a repeat violation. Those punishments could range from fining a week’s worth of his salary or facing a four-game suspension.

McKenzie thought things over and decided to get the COVID-19 vaccine for the greater good.