Sam Amico
Videos by OutKick
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving apparently has no plans to get vaccinated, a decision that will cost him tens of millions of dollars. Yet, as OutKick founder Clay Travis noted, Irving isn’t receiving near the same support from the mainstream media that other athletes have for their own stances (Colin Kaepernick, anyone?)
“Regardless of your personal opinions on the COVID vaccine mandate, Kyrie Irving is the first American athlete in the 21st century to actually give up tens of millions of dollars for his beliefs,” Clay tweeted. “Every other ‘brave’ athlete has made more money for their political beliefs.”
Because of a New York City mandate, Irving would be ineligible to play home games in Brooklyn. He could still play in the majority of road games without the vaccine, but the Nets decided either he is eligible to play in all of them or none of them. In other words, they won’t allow Irving to be a part of things as long as he’s not vaccinated.
That leaves Irving with three options. He can wait for the mandate to be lifted, hope to be traded, or sit out the season. Of course, he could also take the vaccine, but again, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for him.
Irving explained his position in an Instagram Live post.
“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. “That’s the role I play, but I never wanted to give up my passion, my love, my dream just over this mandate.”
Of course, being “demonized” by the media is exactly how it is playing out. Unlike Kap and crew, there is no celebrating an athlete whose beliefs don’t fall in line with what the media mobs demand.
“It’s fascinating to me how quickly the sports media fall all over themselves to praise the ‘bravery’ of athletes who make more money for their opinions and are ripping the guy who stands to lose tens of millions for his,” Clay wrote.
But Irving has more support than most media members want you to believe. No less than former teammate J.R. Smith stood up for Irving.
“Extremely proud of you bro!” Smith tweeted, tagging Irving.
This is just wrong he or anyone should not be punished for making a personal health choice
Kyrie Irving is a damn American hero. Kyrie Irving for president!
The vaccines don’t work as promised and all of these dumb mandates are nothing more than an attempt to perpetuate the narrative that they do.
Although, Irving is a flat earther, he has earned tons of my respect for this stance. Irving being seen as a hero who stands up for what is right does not fit the media narrative. They can’t turn around and applaud the guy now after having lectured us on being vaxxed for the last 9 months. Fake racism and “oppression” are media narratives because they are all communists.