NFL ALUMNI ENCOURAGE COVID-19 VACCINATION ALONG GULF COAST
Former NFL Players Promote Vaccine Confidence Through Awareness & Education Campaign; Will Host Vaccination Clinic with Tulane and Louisiana Department of Health in New Orleans on Feb. 5
NEW ORLEANS, LA (February 1, 2022) – A campaign from NFL Alumni Health, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to build COVID-19 vaccination confidence in metro areas around the country – including in New Orleans and the broader Gulf Coast Region. NFL Alumni Gulf Coast Chapter President, Covington, La., native, and former Tulane University and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Curtis Baham; former New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame linebacker, six-time Pro Bowler, and world champion Rickey Jackson; former New Orleans Saints and Ole Miss quarterback and Gretna, La., native John Fourcade; former New Orleans Saints and McNeese State running back and Iota, La., native Buford Jordan; former Oakland Raiders cornerback, New Orleans native, and Tulane player and coach Lionel Washington; and former Indianapolis Colts and Washington Football Team wide receiver and punt returner, two-time Pro Bowler, world champion, Dulac, La., native, University of Southwestern Louisiana player, and NFL Alumni Gulf Coast Chapter Vice President, Clarence Verdin are among the more than 80 players lending their voices to the COVID-19 education and awareness campaign. The effort encourages people to get informed, discuss their vaccine questions with their health care providers, and make the decision to get vaccinated. The initiative includes public service announcements, a campaign website, social media posts, and local events held in collaboration with health care providers and public health organizations.
To encourage vaccination, the NFL Alumni Gulf Coast Chapter will team up with Tulane University and the Louisiana Department of Health to host a mobile vaccination clinic on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. indoors at the Jill H. and Avram A. Glazer Family Club at Yulman Stadium, 2900 Ben Weiner Drive, on Tulane’s New Orleans campus. Eligible participants ages five and up can receive free Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, including first and second doses and boosters. Those who are getting their first shot will receive a $100 debit card while supplies last. The event will feature giveaways, including swag and Tulane basketball tickets; free concession food; fun things for kids, including face painting, candy, coloring books, and t-shirts; and music and live coverage from a local radio station. Attendees may also enter a free raffle to win a player-signed NFL Alumni football. Folks are encouraged to bring their vaccine cards.
“NFL Alumni’s mission is focused on caring for our own, caring for kids, and caring for the community,” said Baham. “That’s why we’re excited to team up with the CDC, Louisiana Department of Public Health, and my alma mater, Tulane University, to promote vaccine education and awareness. If you have any questions about COVID-19 vaccines, I encourage you to talk to your doctor about your concerns so that you can make an informed choice about getting vaccinated.”
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19,” said Jackson.
“While vaccination is a personal choice and I understand some may still have questions, it’s vitally important that you get all the facts from a trusted doctor or health care professional so you can make an informed decision.”
Baham, Fourcade, Jordan, Washington and Verdin will be on-hand to meet and greet participants and sign autographs.
Millions of people in the U.S. have received COVID-19 vaccines, which has undoubtedly saved many lives across the country. Despite widespread availability of vaccines and the emergence of new variants, millions of Americans have not yet opted to get vaccinated. The NFL Alumni effort encourages individuals who may be “on the fence” to talk with trusted health care providers and make an informed decision about getting vaccinated.
“It is our honor to work with NFL Alumni, CDC, the Louisiana Department of Health and the city of New Orleans to provide vaccines to our local community, said Tulane University’s Dr. Gregory W. Stewart, Medical Director of the Professional Athlete Care Team. “As we all work together to end the pandemic, vaccinations are essential in moving forward.”
“With the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it has never been more urgent for families to get themselves vaccinated and boosted when eligible,” said Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Courtney N. Phillips. “We continue to find new ways of meeting people where they are, so we were very happy to team up with NFL Alumni and CDC on what promises to be a can’t-miss event for the whole family.”
Nationally, more than 80 current and former NFL players are participating in the vaccination awareness effort, including 24 world champions, 38 Pro Bowlers, and 16 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NFL Alumni Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary launched by NFL Alumni, an independent, nonprofit organization, to improve the health and wellness of NFL Alumni members and the broader public.
Other NFL Alumni Chapter cities and regions participating in the program include Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, the Carolinas, Chicago, Cincinnati, the Dakotas, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, New York/New Jersey, Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, Philadelphia, Richmond, Southern California, Tampa Bay, and Tennessee.
For more information about the campaign and resources, go to www.nflalumnihealth.org/covid-19.
About NFL Alumni and NFL Alumni Health
Founded in 1967 by a small group of successful retired NFL players, NFL Alumni is one of the oldest and most well-respected retired player organizations in professional sports. NFL Alumni’s mission is to inform, assist, and serve players in their post-NFL lives. NFL Alumni Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NFL Alumni, which is devoted to improving the health and wellness of NFL Alumni members as well as the general public, by providing informational resources, programs, and services. Visit www.nflalumnihealth.org.
