Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James confirmed on Tuesday that he’s received the COVID-19 vaccine, but said that he won’t be an advocate for it.
James previously declined to disclose in May whether he’d been vaccinated, calling it a “family matter.”
“After doing my research and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited not only for me, but for my family and for my friends, and that’s why I decided to do it,” said James, who added he had “skepticism” about the vaccine before deciding to get it.
The 36-year-old will not be taking a public stand on the vaccine, saying it’s “not my job” to speak out on such an issue.
“We’re talking about individuals’ bodies,” James said. “We’re not talking about something that’s political or racism or police brutality, things of that nature. We’re talking about people’s bodies and well-being. So I don’t feel like, for me personally, that I should get involved in what other people do for their bodies and their livelihoods.”
James also mentioned “being available to your teammates” when discussing the entire roster being vaccinated. Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said on Thursday that all players signed on their roster would be fully vaccinated when Los Angeles opened its season against the Golden State Warriors.
“We’re very grateful for that,” Pelinka said. He didn’t specifically address whether players were unvaccinated at this point in the preseason, with three weeks until the Oct. 19 opener.
“I think in collaboration with UCLA and the doctors and people internally, we will be grateful that we won’t have interruptions caused by the vaccinated status of a player or a staff member,” Pelinka said during his press conference.
ESPN reported on Sept. 14 that NBA players won’t be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, though stricter laws in New York and San Francisco could prevent players from appearing in home games unless they’ve received a religious or medical exemption, according to The Athletic. Visiting players wouldn’t need to abide by those vaccine regulations, though.