"No, I'm not retiring and no, I'm not leaving this game" - Kyrie Irving talks vaccination decision, his legacy, Brooklyn Nets, and his future in Instagram Live video
Kyrie Irving has finally cleared the air around his COVID-19 vaccination status and his future in the NBA.
Appearing on an Instagram Live session a few hours ago, the Brooklyn Nets star unequivocally explained that he is not quitting the game. He said:
“Don’t believe that I’m retiring. Don’t believe that I’m going to give up this game for a vaccine mandate or staying unvaccinated. Don’t believe any of that sh*t man. Be aware of what’s being said… All these people saying all these things about what’s going on with me, it’s just not true.”
The 29-year-old argued that livelihoods were being put on the line because people did not agree with vaccination mandates. Kyrie Irving explained:
“Nobody should be forced to do anything with their bodies… If you choose to get vaccined, I support you. If you choose to be unvaccinated, I support you. Do what is best for you, but that doesn’t mean going around and start judging people, what they are doing with their lives. I’m going to continue to serve others. I’m going to continue to be me. I’m going to continue to be there for people that need the resources, that need the information or need access to different things.”
Kyrie Irving also made it clear that his vaccination stance is not about money. According to the superstar, it is about choosing what is best for him. He stated:
“Do 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 just really want to give up my job? You think I really just want to sit at home and not go after the things with my teammates…”
“Do 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 just really want to give up my job? You think I really just want to sit at home and not going after the things with my teammates…”
- Kyrie https://t.co/gV6BDK357j
Kyrie Irving concluded by reinvigorating the fact that he had no desire to retire from the game of basketball.
"And no, I'm not retiring, and no, I'm not leaving the game like this," Kyrie declared. "There's still so much more work to do and there's still so many young ones to inspire, because I know they want to be better than me..."
Kyrie Irving has been the focus of much criticism and debate in the past few weeks
Kyrie Irving spoke up on Wednesday night after receiving criticism from NBA analysts and commentators over his vaccine hesitancy ever since media day took place on September 27.
The Brooklyn Nets star attended that session remotely from his home because his unvaccinated status did not allow him to be around his teammates as per New York City rules.
In response to Irving’s decision to remain unvaccinated, the Nets clarified that the point guard would have to stay away from the team unless he could be a “full participant.”
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