Vikings LB: Fired Vax Enthusiast Head Coach Instilled Culture Of Fear

Eric Kendricks of the Minnesota Vikings was unimpressed by Mike Zimmer’s firing on Monday as a linebacker.

Kendricks were relieved that Zimmer would not be in charge on Sundays. They stated that Zimmer was a former coach who instilled fear and anxiety in Minnesota.

“I don’t think a fear-based organization is the way to go…We got to have a different strategy this next year in order to have different results. We got to be on the same page,” Kendricks said.

Zimmer, in addition to being unable to agree on football strategy and a general refusal to listen to his team from last June, showed a lack of willingness to unite them.

Zimmer was a strong advocate for his staff and team to receive the COVID vaccine as the league began its strict policies. He was also one of the most harsh critics of those who didn’t get it, which included three of his quarterbacks. When asked by the media how he felt regarding players not getting vaccinated, he often provided a lot of interesting soundbites.

We could all put it to rest if everyone did this. But it’s what it is. – Coach Zimmer pic.twitter.com/nL8PmUZeM1

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 2, 2021

“It’s their beliefs,” Zimmer said when asked why he thinks some players refuse the vaccine. “I don’t know if it’s misinformation. It’s their belief, so whatever they’ve heard or read or been told. Maybe they don’t believe what Dr. (Allen) Sills and the NFL are telling them either. I shouldn’t say it, but some of the things they read is just, whew, out there.”

Now as we know, an overwhelming amount of evidence has suggested that even vaccinated players can contract and spread COVID-19, debunking Zimmer’s belief that taking the vaccine would “put everything behind” them. Furthermore, this evidence validates some of his player’s hesitancy regarding the vaccine, suggesting that some information his players were reading might not be as “out there” as he originally thought.

While everyone’s definition of “fear-based” is different, this general disdain for his unvaccinated players, along with failing to make the playoffs for the second year in a row and losing the respect of top players like Hendricks likely caused the demise for Zimmer in Minnesota.