As sports begin again in a post-pandemic world, athletic organizations are seeking ways to keep their players safe while also allowing games to happen. Organizations have agreed to follow state guidelines that mandate vaccinations for those who attend indoor events, meaning that players who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be able to participate in games in certain places, or in some cases even their home state. Some athletes are seeking religious exemption from this mandate, arguing that their personal religious beliefs don’t allow them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. While many athletes across professional and school-based teams have filed for religious exemption, few have been granted, as claiming religious exemption must apply to several parts of the applicant’s life and not just one specific instance. There are still some cases garnering attention in the world of sports that have fans split in opinion.
Western Michigan University is set to lose their case against student athletes
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced that Western Michigan University would likely lose their case against 16 student athletes who were denied religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine without explanation. WMU’s current athletic policy states that student athletes must be vaccinated against the virus to play in games, but those who are not vaccinated may keep their athletic scholarship if they have one and are still part of the team. Student athletes across multiple sports offered at the school sought religious exemption, and all were denied without explanation, which the court said violated their constitutional rights.
Andrew Wiggins gets vaccinated after longstanding opposition
NBA player Andrew Wiggins has decided to get vaccinated after a longstanding refusal to receive the vaccine. Wiggins has been one of the most outspoken players against NBA’s policy that players must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in games. Wiggins explained his decision to get vaccinated earlier in the month, stating that he felt forced to choose between not receiving the vaccine and continuing his NBA career after his application for religious exemption was denied. Wiggins’ team, the Golden State Warriors cited a mandate by the San Francisco public health department that stated anyone over the age of 12 must be vaccinated to attend indoor events.
Kyrie Irving reiterates his refusal to get vaccinated
Kyrie Irving is a professional NBA player for the Brooklyn Nets. He has been perhaps the most outspoken athlete against getting the COVID-19 vaccine, stating in an Instagram Live that while he is not anti-vaccine and is aware of the ramifications of remaining unvaccinated, he is choosing to do so anyways. The Brooklyn Nets must abide by New York City’s vaccine mandate that says people over the age of twelve must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend indoor events. Irving says that he still hopes to return to the Brooklyn Nets but refuses to get vaccinated, adding that even if he cannot play this season, he does not plan on ending his NBA career at this point. The Nets have announced that they are prepared to play the season without them.
