Since announcing his retirement from the NFL back in November 2025 at age 29, Breiden Fehoko has been very vocal about the players’ situation in the league. He uses his social media handles and his own podcast to openly criticize how the league is ignoring players’ health.
Now, the former NFL defensive lineman has taken a shot at the league for a 6-year-old incident that left him still battling side effects.
Breiden Fehoko Revealed How NFL Forced Him to Take COVID Vaccine
On July 23, Fehoko took to his X account and alleged that NFL teams pressured players into taking COVID vaccines during the 2020–21 outbreak because refusing them could put their careers at risk.
“6 years later, dealing with the side effects of a vaccine nobody wanted to get but forced on players if we wanted to keep our job,” he wrote. “The people deserve the truth.”
During this period, he was with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Fehoko did not explain what specific side effects he says he continues to experience, leaving that part of his claim unanswered.
The NFL’s official policies during that period painted a more nuanced picture.
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As per USA TODAY Sports reports, the league required support staff and administrative employees who interacted with players to be fully vaccinated. However, those requirements did not extend to players, largely because labor negotiations with the NFLPA carved out a different rule for them — coaches and other staff who worked closely with players faced an effective mandate that players did not.
In fact, the NFLPA publicly stated that vaccination remained a personal decision for players.
In a July 26, 2021, article, the union wrote, “No. Though we believe the vaccine is both safe and effective, players have the choice whether to take it or not. Unlike among the NFL coaching ranks or in other businesses, the vaccine is not mandated for NFL players.”
Despite that, Fehoko revealed the reality inside locker rooms felt different.
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In the comment section, one fan asked whether Fehoko could have refused the vaccine like Cole Beasley and Kyrie Irving, and the former defensive lineman explained why he did not.
“Some guys don’t make 40 million dollars a year,” he replied to the fan. “A young rookie straight out of college hungry to achieve his dream with no finances? Obviously you’re holding him hostage to decisions he’s forced to make.”
Fehoko began his NFL journey with the Chargers when he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He remained with the Chargers through the 2022 season and appeared in 19 regular-season games, including two in 2020, eight in 2021, and nine in 2022.
In 2023, Fehoko joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent much of his time on the practice squad before remaining with the organization through 2025.
Soon after, he decided to retire from the NFL and shift his attention to life beyond the field.
Now, Fehoko has built a new platform through “The Fehoko Show.” He regularly shares his opinions on football while pushing for stronger player advocacy.
