NFL ALUMNI ENCOURAGE COVID-19 VACCINATION IN KANSAS CITY
Former NFL Players Promote Vaccine Confidence Through Awareness & Education Campaign; Will Host Virtual Town Hall with Public Health Experts on April 4
KANSAS CITY, MO (April 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 around the country – including in Kansas City. Hall of Fame Kansas City Chiefs and 12-time Pro-Bowl guard Will Shields, NFL Alumni Kansas City Chapter President and former Chiefs wide receiver Danan Hughes and NFL Alumni Kansas City Chapter Vice President, and former Chiefs defensive back Jayice Pearson are among the more than 100 players lending their voices to the 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 Kansas City Chapter will team up with the Kansas City Department of Health to host a live, virtual townhall on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 7 p.m. CT during which leading public health experts and doctors will address questions or concerns about the vaccines from NFL alumni and the general public. Participants include Kansas City Health Director Marvia Jones, Ph.D. MPH, Dana J. Hawkinson, M.D., infectious diseases, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System, and Mark Steele, M.D., executive chief clinical officer at University Health. Reed Tuckson, M.D., chair of the Black Coalition Against COVID will moderate the discussion.
“I got vaccinated because I felt it was the right thing for me and the best way to protect my family and community against COVID-19,” said Shields. “But if you’re still on the fence, go talk to a trusted health care provider, your doctor or other expert, to get the information you need and your questions answered to make the informed decision to get vaccinated.”
People can register and submit questions for the townhall at https://bit.ly/3wTVM4g. The live event also will be simulcast on the NFL Alumni Facebook and YouTube channels. Registered attendees will also be entered into a raffle to win a player-signed NFL Alumni football.
“We’re excited to team up with the CDC and Kansas City Department of Health to promote vaccine education and awareness,” said Hughes. “The NFL Alumni’s mission is focused on caring for our own, caring for kids, and caring for the community. If you have questions about vaccination, I encourage you to talk to a doctor about your concerns so that you can make an informed choice about getting vaccinated.”
Millions of people in the U.S. have received COVID-19 vaccines, which has undoubtedly saved many lives across the country. 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.
Nationally, nearly 100 current and former NFL players are participating in the vaccination awareness effort, including 29 world champions, 39 Pro Bowlers, and 16 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since launching the campaign, NFLA Alumni Health has hosted more than 18 events around the country to promote vaccine confidence.
NFL Alumni Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary launched by NFL Alumni, a nonprofit 501(c)3 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, Carolinas, Chicago, Cincinnati, the Dakotas, Dallas, Detroit, the Gulf Coast, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New York/New Jersey, Northern California, 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.
