Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving says ‘enforced’ COVID-19 vaccine is one of biggest violations of human rights in history

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving recently offered blunt criticism concerning COVID-19 vaccine mandates, describing them as one of the “biggest violations” of human rights in history.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a devastating toll on populations. More than one million Americans have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

In March 2020, NBA action was shut down because of the pandemic and resumed more than four months later in Orlando, Fla. with no fans in attendance.

After a vaccine was quickly developed, mandates that required employees of various companies to get the vaccine were put in place. In a number of different cases, refusal to adhere to vaccine mandates resulted in individuals being dismissed from their jobs.

The NBA instituted protocols in an effort to deal with the virus, though vaccination was not mandatory.

However, New York City did put a vaccine mandate in place, and that directly affected Irving’s ability to play in home games for the Nets last season. At first, the Nets chose not to play Irving at all before eventually relenting in January of this year.

Irving ended up playing just 29 regular season games for the Nets during the 2021-22 campaign. His absences were costly, considering the fact that he was was able to average 27.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

Due to Irving’s impassioned stance, he garnered plenty of attention from both sides of the political spectrum. Some individuals hailed him for his courage in speaking out against mandates while others criticized his attitude toward a public health crisis.

The controversy sparked by Irving’s attitude toward the vaccine and issues related to the pandemic is nothing new for the talented guard.

Previously, Irving raised eyebrows by stating his apparent belief that the Earth was flat. He later apologized for those comments, saying that he wasn’t aware of the effect the remarks would have.

Irving’s comments about vaccine mandates are much more serious in nature, given the life-and-death concerns surrounding the issue. Given the many horrors that have been a part of countless human rights violations in the past, he’s likely to face plenty of heat from critics in the near future.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

5 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago