NBA player Jonathan Isaac has gone viral for his answer to questions about his COVID-19 vaccination stance.
With the new NBA season not far away, there has been a push to get the players from all 30 teams jabbed in order to comply with coronavirus regulations which differ from state-to-state.
But while some of basketball's biggest stars have complied, others are continuing to have their say on why they would prefer not to get the vaccine - Isaac being one of them.
The Orlando Magic forward has made headlines in recent weeks for speaking out against getting the shot.
Advert
Most notably, an article by Rolling Stone described him as "proudly unvaccinated" and quoted him as saying it's "an injustice" to paint the vaccinated as heroes while the un-vaxxed are "vilified and bullied".
But it seems a more recent statement from the 23-year-old has really grabbed people's attention.
Appearing during Magic's media day, Isaac was asked by a reporter what makes him "hesitant" to get the vaccine and his response has now racked up million of views from fans online.
"I would start with I've had Covid in the past and so our understanding of antibodies, of natural immunity has changed a great deal from the onset of the pandemic and is still evolving," Isaac said.
"I understand that the vaccine would help if you have Covid, you'll be able to have less symptoms from contracting it. But with me having Covid in the past and having antibodies, with my current age group and physical fitness level, it's not necessarily a fear of mine.
Advert
"Taking the vaccine, like I said, it would decrease my chances of having a severe reaction, but it does open me up to the albeit rare chance but the possibility of having an adverse reaction to the vaccine itself.
"I don't believe that being unvaccinated means infected or being vaccinated means uninfected. You can still catch Covid with or without having the vaccine.
"I would say honestly the craziness of it all in terms of not being able to say that it should be everybody's fair choice without being demeaned or talked crazy to doesn't make one comfortable to do what said person is telling them to do.
"I would say I'm hesitant at this time but at the end of the day I don't feel that it is anyone's reason to come out and say well this is why or this is not why, it should just be their decision. Loving your neighbour is not just loving those who agree with you or look like you or move in the same way that you do. It's loving those who don't."
Isaac also took the time to respond to Rolling Stone's claims, insisting he was "badly misrepresented" in the publication's 'The NBA's Anti-Vaxxers Are Trying to Push Around the League - And It's Working' article published over the weekend.
Advert
"I am not anti-vax, I'm not anti-medicine, I am not anti-science," Isaac said.
"I didn't come to my current stance by studying Black history or watching Donald Trump press conferences. I have nothing but the utmost respect for every healthcare worker and person in Orlando and all across the world that have worked tirelessly to keep us safe ... I thank God and I'm grateful that I live in a society where vaccines are possible, and we can protect ourselves and have the means to protect ourselves.
"But with that being said, it is my belief that the vaccine status of every person should be their own choice. Completely up to them without bullying, without being pressured, without being forced into doing so. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm uncomfortable with taking the vaccine at this time.
"We're all different. We all come from different places. We've all had different experiences and hold dear to different beliefs. And what it is you do with your body when it comes to putting medicine in there should be your choice, free of the ridicule and the opinion of others."
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/PATopics: Basketball, NBA, vaccine, Australia, vaccination, Covid-19
