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In the last several years, NBA players and professional athletes in general have become more vocal about standing up for various social and political causes. So it should be no surprise that politicians will do the same to further their interests.
On Wednesday, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz tweeted his support of Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal’s current refusal of getting the coronavirus vaccine. He also mentioned other players like Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins and Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Issac in the same tweet along with the hashtag “#YourBodyYourChoice.”
I stand with Kyrie Irving.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 29, 2021
I stand with Andrew Wiggins.
I stand with Bradley Beal.
I stand with Jonathan Isaac.#NBA#YourBodyYourChoice https://t.co/kn74nwjVRV
He went on to add that he agreed with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James who was previously wary about the coronavirus vaccine before ultimately getting it.
3/x @KingJames is being courageous here.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 29, 2021
With his box-office power, he could be even more courageous—he could SOLVE the problem—by saying:
“I stand w/ my fellow players. And I won’t play in any arena that bans another NBA player because they make a personal healthcare choice.”
Of the messages in Cruz’s tweet-burst, the first one generated the most responses, including former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy who has become quite vocal politically.
Hell just froze over — Ted Cruz standing with Black people.
— Stan Van Gundy (@realStanVG) September 29, 2021
Cruz’s tweet comes at a time where the coronavirus pandemic is in the middle of a wave due to the delta variant this past summer. While there are reports that he himself is vaccinated, he clearly tweeted this to use some NBA players, including Beal, to further his agenda to let those who don’t want a vaccine be.
It was already significant news that Beal wasn’t vaccinated against the coronavirus. But it’s also not good news for Beal and the Wizards to be tied to a member of Congress known for controversy.
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