10 Famous Athletes Who Said Yes To The COVID-19 Vaccine, And 7 Who Said No
Note: COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and shown to be safe and effective. The views shared by some people in this post are harmful and are not supported by scientific evidence. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can save your life and the lives of your loved ones, helping to end the pandemic.
1.VACCINATED: LeBron James
Despite choosing to get the vaccine himself, LeBron said that he wouldn't "get involved in what other people should do for their bodies and their livelihoods." According the Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, all of the players on the team this season are vaccinated.
2.NOT VACCINATED: Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving originally wouldn't say if he was or wasn't vaccinated, but it became clear that he wasn't when he missed the start of the Brooklyn Nets season and has not played with them since. The NBA doesn't have a mandatory vaccine policy, but New York's vaccine policy requires players be vaccinated in order to play or practice indoors.
3.VACCINATED: Allyson Felix
When she was asked before the 2020 Olympics, she said that she was excited to be vaccinated as soon as she was eligible.
4.NOT VACCINATED: Anthony Rizzo
When he played with the Chicago Cubs, Anthony Rizzo chose not to get vaccinated because he was “taking some more time to see the data." He then tested positive for COVID in August after having been traded to the Yankees. When he was asked about his vaccination status again at the end of August, he said, "I just had COVID, so they say for three months I’m kinda in the clear, so I think after that it will be the time to really make the decision again." The MLB doesn't currently have a vaccination mandate for players.
5.VACCINATED: Serena Williams
Serena attended the 2021 Met Gala, which required all guests to be vaccinated.
6.NOT VACCINATED: Novak Djokovic
Currently ranked the No.1 player in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals, Djokovic has refused to disclose his vaccination status. This might keep him from playing in the Australian Open in January due to the tournament's vaccine mandate.
7.VACCINATED: Andy Murray
The Scottish tennis player is vaccinated and has said that all players traveling across the world "have a responsibility to do so."
8.NOT VACCINATED: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is the most recent famous athlete to make headlines because of being unvaccinated. After saying that he was "immunized" against the virus despite not receiving the vaccine, he tested positive in early November.
9.VACCINATED: Tom Brady
Tom Brady is vaccinated, as confirmed by Tampa Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians. He previously had COVID after the 2021 Super Bowl.
10.NOT VACCINATED: Cole Beasley
Cole Beasley has had A LOT to say — on Twitter and in person — about the NFL's vaccination policy and COVID protocols, but it all boils down to the same thing: He's unvaccinated and wishes to remain as such. He eventually deleted his Twitter account after posting, "I may die of COVID, but I'd rather die actually living."
11.VACCINATED: Simone Biles
Simone was confirmed to be vaccinated prior to the 2020 Olympics and has publicly supported the vaccine.
12.NOT VACCINATED: Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal had to miss the 2020 Olympics because he had COVID, but that wasn't enough to make him get vaccinated. After stating in September that he refused the vaccine for "personal reasons," he later clarified that he was still considering getting the vaccine once enough time passed after having COVID, as per CDC guidelines. This earned him the support of Ted Cruz, which Beal rejected even though he hasn't confirmed a vaccination status recently.
13.VACCINATED: Suni Lee
Suni was also confirmed to be vaccinated before the Olympics. She also competed on the most recent season of Dancing With the Stars, which had a vaccination mandate for all celebrities and pro dancers.
14.NOT VACCINATED: Callum Robinson
The English soccer player hasn't been vaccinated despite having COVID twice, saying, "It's obviously annoying that I've caught it twice but I haven't been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it but at this moment in time I haven't been vaccinated. I wouldn't force people to do it, it's your choice and your body."
15.VACCINATED: Neymar da Silva Santos, Jr.
Neymar shared a video of himself getting vaccinated back in May.
16.VACCINATED but didn't want to be: Andrew Wiggins
After expressing skepticism over the vaccine and even seeking a religious exemption (which the NBA denied), Wiggins got vaccinated. He made it clear, though, that he only did so because, "The only options were to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA."
17.And finally, VACCINATED: Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe plays on the OL Reign, which recently announced that 28/29 of the players on its roster are vaccinated. Megan herself (along with fiancé and basketball star Sue Bird) participated in a vaccination clinic at Lumen Field in Washington.