About

The Kyrie Irving Vaccine Protest refers to Brooklyn Nets NBA player Kyrie Irving's public refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccination shot. Due to 2021 New York City public health mandates, all persons had to have proof of vaccination in order to enter public spaces, and due to Irving's non-vaccinated status, which came to public attention in late September 2021, he was restricted from playing on the team's roster. As the 2021-22 season started in October 2021, protests in support of Kyrie occurred outside the stadium and across social media, with the controversy being made into memes on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Reddit. The controversy also rallied reactions from other celebrities and professional sports players, spreading awareness of the debate outside of NBA circles.

Background

On September 27th, 2021, the New York Post released an article^[1] detailing speculation that Kyrie Irving had not received a COVID-19 vaccine. The article talks about a press conference that Irving was a part of but only virtually over Zoom. He did not want to answer any questions about his availability or vaccination status although there had been multiple reports that he was unvaccinated. If the reports were true, Irving would not be able to participate in any Brooklyn Nets home games due to New York City's public health mandates regarding vaccinations being required for admittance to public spaces. Irving has sparked controversy in the past for being conspiracy-minded, like in 2017 when he publicly supported flat earth theory. ^[2]

Overview

On October 14th, 2021, Irving admitted publicly for the first time on Instagram Live that he had not received a COVID-19 vaccine.^[3] He said on the Live, "I am doing what’s best for me. I know the consequences here, and if it means that I’m judged and demonized for that, that’s just what it is." The Nets, in response, admitted that Irving would be only a "part-time player" for the team due to his vaccination status. The General Manager of the team stated, "Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently, the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team."

On October 24th, 2021,^[4] the Nets held their home-opener, which Irving would not be allowed to play in. Protesters organized outside of the Barclays Center holding signs that read "Stand With Kyrie." A video of them trying to storm the building at one point received attention on Twitter,^[5] with a tweet from DJ Akademiks that received roughly 14,300 likes over two days (shown below).

Kyrie Irving supporters protested and tried rushing the Barclays in support of Kyrie refusal to get vaccinated thus far. pic.twitter.com/UJdAo9V05m

— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) October 24, 2021

On October 25th, 2021, heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Mayweather came out in support of Kyrie Irving with an Instagram^[6] video he posted. The video (shown below) received roughly 93,200 likes in less than 24 hours. In the video, Mayweather talks about America's belief in freedom of choice and how Irving's stance reflects this belief.

Related Memes

On October 12th, 2021, politician Lavern Spicer posted a tweet^[6] comparing Kyrie Irving's COVID situation to former NBA player Magic Johnson's struggle with HIV. Johnson had HIV and was able to play in the NBA while Irving was not allowed to play without a COVID vaccination. Spicer's tweet (shown below) received roughly 27,500 likes over the course of 14 days.

Multiple Twitter users found Spicer's tweet funny because of the difference in how HIV and COVID are spread. For instance, Twitter^[7] user @danielcruzjr2 replied "Can someone tell me how HIV is transmitted?," receiving roughly 7,900 likes over 14 days. Twitter^[8] user @gartmartin9 also replied to the tweet saying "Are you aware that NBA players do not have penetrative sex during a game?" His reply received roughly 31,400 likes over 14 days. Another Twitter^[9] user, @LocaOdly, replied to @gartmartin9 saying "Which is why I never watch." and received roughly 20,800 likes over 14 days. Screenshots of the entire thread (shown below) were reposted to Instagram^[10] on October 16th, 2021, and received roughly 20,700 likes over 10 days.

Multiple memes and tweets also surfaced on October 24th, 2021, from reports of Irving being taken off the NBA's Top 75 players list for refusing the vaccine.^[11] Most tweets and memes about the situation related Kyrie's removal to former NBA player Karl Malone's inclusion when there'd been reports of him being a child predator. A tweet from Twitter^[12] account @Troydan (shown below) was posted on October 24th and received roughly 29,300 likes over two days.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References