Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving has been in the news a lot recently. He has caused quite the controversy with his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA has not required the players to be vaccinated, although it has been reported that close to 95% of players have already received the vaccine. 

Originally, Irving planned on only playing road games for the Nets this season. This was due to the New York City vaccine mandate for all employees. The Nets were silent on the issue of Irving’s availability until October 12. 

The Nets’ general manager Sean Marks decided to not involve Irving in any form with the team until he can become fully available. Marks stated, “Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently, the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability.” 

Since this has happened, Irving has appeared on his social media platforms to discuss his decision to remain unvaccinated. On Instagram, Irving explained that “I chose to be unvaccinated, and that was my choice, and I would ask you all to just respect that choice.” Irving has taken it upon himself to be a “voice for the voiceless” when it comes to the issue of vaccine mandates. 

Irving continued on his Instagram live exclaiming, “This is my life. I get to do whatever I want with this, this is one body that I get here. And you are telling me what to do with my body? This has everything to do with what is going on in our world. And I am being grouped into something that is bigger than just the game of basketball?” 

Irving also has stated that his reasoning for not getting the vaccine has nothing to do with being “anti-vax.” 

Many fans and sportscasters have worried that Irving will simply retire and there is a growing belief that he does not care about winning or even about basketball. 

Kyrie responded to these narratives, “It’s about choosing what’s best for you. You think I really want to lose money? You think I really want to give up on my dream to go after a championship? You think I really just want to give up my job?” 

Kyrie’s decision to speak out against the vaccine has drawn both praise and criticism from the public. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said of Irving, “This is some of the stupidest nonsense I have ever seen.” 

Irving “is compromising the championship aspirations of an organization that he signed up to represent,” Smith said.

The Nets signed Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the 2019 offseason. After adding James Harden to the mix via trade last season, the Nets have been an overwhelming favorite to win the NBA championship this season. Kyrie’s absence throws a wrench into the Nets’ championship hopes as he is unquestionably a critical part of the team. 

Irving’s decision has certainly drawn several bits of criticism. However, there have been many to come to his defense. Many conservative political commentators, anti-vaccine and anti-mandate voices have praised Irving for his decision. 

Conservative commentator Candace Owens tweeted, “People that stand up for their beliefs in the face of brainwash, media propaganda, and a worldwide peer pressure campaign are the kind of people that you should look up to.  @KyrieIrving is someone to look up to. Never, ever do what makes you uncomfortable.” 

There has been no change in Kyrie Irving’s game status or any further statements from him as of October 27. The sports world and fans alike will be watching over this for weeks to come. 

Article by Payton Hannah