SC college football team recognized after being fully vaccinated against COVID-19
The South Carolina State Bulldogs football team is getting recognition for its efforts off the field.
The team, which sits in first place in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, is the latest recipient of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Community Hero Award after its entire roster has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
DHEC presents the award to groups or people who have shown initiative to be community leaders in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. DHEC’s State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell and Covid Response Operations Director Felicia Veasey presented the award during halftime of Saturday’s game.
“By each player stepping up to get fully vaccinated, the Bulldogs have taken great strides to protect not only the health of their team, but also the health of their fellow students, faculty, their family and friends, and their community as a whole,” Bell said.
The university’s interim president, Col. Alexander Conyers, and Athletic Director Stacy Danley accepted the award on behalf of the team, which went on to defeat Howard 15-12.
“So often, we look to our student-athletes as leaders and role models within our greater university population,” Conyers said. “As we navigate this global pandemic, their example has never been so relevant and so critical.”
South Carolina’s statewide vaccination rate is 55%, one of the lowest in the country. State health professionals strongly recommend wearing a face mask when around others and to get vaccinated to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.