"Statements like that make the public look upon athletes basically as dumb jocks" - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on John Stockton's COVID-19 vaccine comments

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a staunch supporter and advocate of the COVID-19 vaccine, lambasted fellow Hall-of-Famer John Stockton for comments on athletes who have taken the jab. The legendary NBA point guard caused a sensation when he claimed that “over 100 professional athletes” have died of vaccination in an interview with The Spokesman-Review.

The iconic LA Lakers center wasted little time ripping into John Stockton’s statements. In an interview with CNN, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had choice words for the former Utah Jazz playmaker. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer said Stockton's comments make the public view athletes as "dumb jocks".

“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,” said Abdul-Jabbar.

Some medical research sites have already called out Stockton’s statements as incredibly dubious and not supported by data and science. It remains unclear where the former Gonzaga alum got his numbers as his assertions have been discredited by medical professionals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar added that he simply could not understand where John Stockton was coming from:

“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.”

John Stockton isn’t the only popular basketball figure that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has criticized for a questionable vaccine stance. The NBA’s only six-time MVP also denounced Kyrie Irving for his unscientific approach and misinformed statements regarding the COVID-19 vaccines.

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Gonzaga University suspends John Stockton’s season tickets

John Stockton's season tickets were revoked by his alma mater, Gonzaga University, for refusing to wear a mask in home games.

John Stockton refused to budge on his stance not to wear a mask when watching Gonzaga basketball games. It left the school with no choice but to ban him from enjoying and cheering his alma mater in home games.

Stockton, whose #12 jersey is one of only two numbers retired in school history, aired his side of the story regarding the suspension.

“Basically, it came down to, they were asking me to wear a mask to games and being a public figure, someone a little bit more visible, I stuck out in a crowd a little bit. And therefore they received complaints and felt like from the higher-ups - those weren’t discussed, but from whatever it was higher up - they were going to have to either ask me to wear a mask or they were going to suspend my tickets,” he said.

Gonzaga University officials have offered a statement reinforcing their belief in implementing measures, including wearing a mask indoors, to prevent or curb the spread of the virus. They are bound to carry out the mandates without preferential treatment.

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