John Stockton thinks thousands of athletes died from vaccine: “I had the proof in my hands, the piece of paper with the names"

2022 NBA All-Star Game
John Stockton hasn't backed down on his stance about the COVID-19 vaccinations.

John Stockton has been retired for nearly 20 years and yet he has popped up in the headlines several times over the last few years. Stockton is in the limelight again for a claim that will surely spark at least some heated debate even from non-basketball fans.

Here is the legendary former Utah Jazz point guard digging into his stance about the COVID-19 vaccinations:

“I had the proof in my hands, the piece of paper with the names…I think it’s in the thousands now. Don’t quote me on that one, I’m not saying 1,000, but it might be. It’s a big number.”

When Stockton originally made this claim several months ago, the figure was “over 100 professional athletes.” He must have done more research on his new list to dwarf his previous count. How he has compiled the names and whether his “proof” has been verified by health authorities remains to be ascertained.

John Stockton caught media attention regarding his COVID-19 vaccination stance when he refused to wear a mask as a spectator in Gonzaga games. His former school eventually stripped him of season tickets for failing to follow standard health procedures.

The NBA’s all-time assists leader also backed Kyrie Irving and NFL star Aaron Rodgers for staunchly refusing to get the vaccine. He told the media that vaccinated players are taking serious risks with their careers.

"They're [Kyrie Irving and Aaron Rodgers] taking real risks with their careers, with their advertisements. These guys have opportunities to do ads and make a lot of money. They're risking all of that when you speak out against the narrative. If you didn't hear it before, I'm backing him now."

At the height of the COVID-19 vaccine controversy, John Stockton made his voice louder with his actions. He is unlikely to change that and has come up with even more intriguing claims that should be verified.


Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has criticized John Stockton's claims against COVID-19 vaccinations

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn't hold back in his criticism of John Stockton.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn't hold back in his criticism of John Stockton.

A few outspoken NBA legends do not share and are even critical of John Stockton’s assertions regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations.

Charles Barkley took a dig at his former opponent during a mock draft of the league’s top 75 players. He didn’t pick Stockton for this hilarious reason:

“No, we can’t [take] Stockton. He’s gonna play half the games.”

Not all the comments directed at Stockton, though, have been hilarious.

LA Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a stinging and scathing rebuke of “Stock’s” claims:

“I think statements like that make the public look upon athletes as basically dumb jocks, for trying to explain away something that is obviously a pandemic.
“It doesn’t make sense what he’s saying. This is a preventative measure that has been useful in many different circumstances…I think John’s reaction to the vaccine is extreme and not based on reality or facts.
“If John could just check the facts out, he would understand that this vaccine is saving lives and preventing people from having serious reactions to the virus. It won’t eliminate the virus overnight, but it will stop people from dying and will stop people from becoming seriously ill.”

Abdul-Jabbar made this remark when John Stockton’s figures were nowhere close to his current count. “The Captain” may make another comment regarding the update in Stockton’s claims.

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