Kirk Cousins’ hometown hospital drops him as spokesman over vaccination stance

Kirk Cousins’ stance on the COVID-19 vaccine has cost him his role as spokesman for his hometown hospital.

Holland Hospital (Mich.) on Friday released a statement saying it had dropped the Vikings quarterback as its spokesman, a role he reportedly held since 2017. The release specified anyone who serves as a spokesman for the hospital — an unpaid role, in Cousins’ case — must align with its stance on vaccination.

Cousins has declined to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, saying he is “at peace” with his decision even after being placed on the league’s COVID-19 reserve list.

Below is Holland Hospital’s release:

“While we acknowledge that each person is entitled to their own viewpoints, those who speak on our behalf must support messages that align with the hospital’s position on matters of vital importance to individual and community health. For this reason, Holland Hospital will discontinue using Kirk Cousins as our spokesperson for now. We are proud of our association with Kirk. He embodies many values we respect and share as part of our work culture. However, we must be certain that our communications about COVID vaccination are consistent and unequivocal.”

The release also recommended people get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cousins returned from the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday after he was deemed a close contact with rookie quarterback Kellen Mond, who contracted the disease. Upon his return — after missing half a week of practice — Cousins said his opinion on getting the vaccine had not changed:

“I’m taking into account everything that’s happening and very much doing my research and trying to understand why I missed and then how to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he told reporters (via NFL.com). He added that he has not spoken with Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, in his research on the vaccine.

While Cousins said he would adhere to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, he dismissed his placement on the COVID-19 list as the result of Minnesota’s quarterback room being too small. To that end, he said he would rather use alternative methods — such as placing himself in plexiglass or having a meeting outside under a goal post — to reduce close contact with teammates. When asked why he wouldn’t just get the vaccine, he said his decision is “personal and private.”

Cousins is not the only Vikings player who has refused to get vaccinated. The Vikings reportedly had the worst vaccination rate in the NFL as of Tuesday: 70 percent with at least one vaccine shot, and 64.5 percent with both shots, percentages that will most likely drop as the team reduces its roster size.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer slammed his players who refused to get vaccinated:

“I’m not going to be able to change their mind, so, it’s like half the country, I guess,” Zimmer said.

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