NFL receiver Cole Beasley gives unvaccinated fan free tickets to away game

Known for his pushback against the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley is giving an unvaccinated fan free tickets to road games to skirt the Bills' COVID regulations at home games. Beasley previously called the NFL's COVID rules "crazy" and said the "players association is a joke" for agreeing to the NFL's terms.

An unvaccinated fan voiced frustration over the new vaccine mandate, having already purchased tickets for future games when only vaccinated people would be allowed to go to Bills home games, reported the Blaze.

"Sad day for me as a Buffalo fan," tweeted Bills fan Chris Hauquitz. "I was bringing my 10-year-old daughter to her first game in December from Albuquerque. Already bought tickets."

"I won't get the shot, so now I don't know what to do," he said: "I probably need to sell the tickets and find an away game."

Beasley responded with an offer of free tickets to an away game.

"If you find an away game you can go to, then I will buy the tickets for you guys," Beasley replied. "DM me names and everything [sic]. I'll figure out the best way to make it happen. Wish she could witness the mafia!"

Hauquitz said Beasley was working on getting him tickets to the October 10 game in Kansas City.

"I've had COVID, so in my opinion, I've already got the antibodies," he said. "I think they're just as good as the vaccine."

Hauquitz added that the vaccine came out "pretty rushed," so he didn’t have enough information to make an informed decision.

"In my opinion, there's so little information out there, and it all seems to be one-sided," he said, citing religious beliefs for his unvaccinated status. "I think God created me for a purpose. He has a plan for my life. And whether I have the vaccine or not, I'm taken care of."

Beasley previously said it is his "personal choice" not to get the COVID-19 vaccine. In June, the slot wide receiver said, "That means I don't have to explain to anyone why I do what I do. Just like everything else in my life."

The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that proof of COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement to gain entry at Highmark Stadium. For the home games on September 26 and October 3, fans will be required to furnish proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting on October 31, Bills fans need to be fully vaccinated to attend home games. Children under the age of 12 do not need to be vaccinated but must wear a face mask. A negative COVID test result was not listed as an alternative to the vaccine.

"We've worked collaboratively with the county over the last several weeks, months, throughout the pandemic," said Bills owner Ron Raccuia, the vice president of Pegula Sports and Entertainment. "We are looking to provide the safest environment for our fans that we possibly can. We're thankful for this collaboration. We feel like this is the right move going forward."

The Bills are the fourth NFL team to require proof of vaccination to attend home games, joining the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, and New Orleans Saints.