Kyrie Irving has been making headlines for refusing to follow the NBA’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He went on Instagram live on Wednesday, October 13th to explain why.
“Everybody is entitled to do what they feel is what’s best for themselves. Seeing the way this is dividing our world up, it’s sad to see. People are losing jobs to mandates.”
“I am doing what’s best for me. I know the consequences here, and if it means that I’m judged and demonized for that, that’s just what it is,” Irving said, in a portion of the live broadcast captured by journalist Chris Haynes. “That’s the role I play, but I never wanted to give up my passion, my love, my dream just over this mandate.”
Kyrie Irving address his stance on not getting the vaccine on IG Live: “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?” pic.twitter.com/cYHCWGbnCo
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 14, 2021
“It’s about choosing what’s best for you,” Irving continued. “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?”
The Brooklyn Nets baller mentioned that its been his dream to win an NBA championship since he was in the fourth grade but “I’m not going to be used as a person in this agenda,” he said to over 90,000 viewers.
“Once again, I’m going to repeat this. This is not about the Nets, this is not about the organization, it’s not about the NBA, it’s not politics,” Irving told viewers. “It’s not any one thing. It’s just about the freedom of what I want to do.”
Kyrie also addressed rumors that he was retiring. “No, I’m not retiring, and no, I’m not going and leaving this game like this. There’s still so much more work to do, and there’s still so many other (youngsters) to inspire, because I know they want to be better than me.”
Kyrie Irving is unable to play until he becomes “eligible to be a full participant.” He’s barred from playing or practicing with the Nets due to New York City’s vaccine mandate.
What are your thoughts on Kyrie refusing to get the vaccine?
