Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins becomes the first NBA player to publicly admit he doesn’t want to be vaccinated: “I don’t really see myself getting it any time soon, unless forced to”

Andrew Wiggins has caused a real stir for the first time in his NBA career after publicly admitting his lack of enthusiasm for the Covid vaccine.

Worldwide, around 37.5 million people have already received at least one shot of the Covid vaccines. Cases are on the rise during this second wave all across the world. However, the vaccination program initiated by every country is an opportunity for us to emerge on the other side.

The sheer speed at which the vaccines for this disease have been pushed through has caused some unease. Some of the detractors come from within the medical community. However, speaking out against the vaccination drive is simply not an option for an NBA player.

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The likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell took it upon themselves to educate the African-American community about the vaccine. They became some of the initial recipients of the vaccine, and have been encouraging Black Americans to go ahead.

Andrew Wiggins reveals his unease at the idea of the Covid vaccine, gets flamed for it

Getting traded to the Warriors might have been the luckiest break possible for Wiggins. He got to dodge an environment with no winning culture and get to a team that made 5 straight Finals appearances.

But by announcing to the world that he isn’t in favor of getting vaccinated, Wiggins has invited a tidal wave of hate at himself:

‘I don’t really see myself getting it any time soon, unless I’m forced to.’

Andrew Wiggins on the COVID vaccines: ‘I don’t really see myself getting it any time soon, unless I’m forced to.’

— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) March 23, 2021

Put the vax somewhere ~16 to 20 feet from the rim and he’ll reconsider taking the shot https://t.co/H9nd9g3LCQ

— sam esfandiari (@samesfandiari) March 23, 2021

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It will take some real PR work and a retraction of this statement for the backlash to stop. Wiggins really should have taken the LeBron route to talking about the vaccine.

Wiggins’ statements will simply embolden the people who believe sportspersons should not have a public voice. This also makes it a lot harder for the league and the government to endorse the vaccines.