In a shocking development, the Minnesota Vikings and assistant coach Rick Dennison have parted ways after he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, ESPN reported Friday. His departure comes less than 24 hours after the NFL issued a memo coming down hard on unvaccinated players.
Dennison, who served as the team’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator since 2019, parted ways with the Vikings after choosing not to get vaccinated, making him the first coach to do so.
Phil Rauscher, who currently serves as the assistant offensive line coach, will be taking over Dennison’s role.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the memo that the league does not intend to add another week and outbreaks among unvaccinated players could result in forfeiture and loss of pay for both teams if the games are canceled.
The league also noted that while “more than 75 percent of players are in the process of being vaccinated,” nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100 percent of their Tier 1 and 2 staffs.”
Dennison began his coaching career with the Denver Broncos in 1995 where he stayed until 2009 before moving on to the Houston Texans where he served as the offensive coordinator. Aside from the Vikings, he also spent time with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens.
