Kyrie Irving was forced to sit out many home games for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2021-22 season because he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Despite playing in only 29 regular-season games, he averaged 27.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, and helped the Nets advance to the playoffs.
A Florida politician sought to acknowledge Irving’s bravery in taking his stance by urging President Donald Trump to honor him with a prestigious government-issued award, prompting most of the NBA community to speak out against the proposal.
NBA World Criticizes Florida Representative’s Call To Honor Kyrie Irving for COVID-19 Vaccination Stance
Reacting to a social media post that featured sports TV personality Stephen A. Smith’s apology to the former NBA champion, Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna urged Trump on Friday to give Irving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his immense act of bravery in what she said was “one of the darkest times in modern history.”
“I am calling on President Trump to give Kyrie Irving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his immense act of bravery during one of the darkest times in modern history,” Luna wrote.
I am calling on President Trump to give Kyrie Irving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his immense act of bravery during one of the darkest times in modern history. https://t.co/aGIs0oB6sp
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) July 31, 2026
The call was met with harsh reactions on social media, with film writer and director Antonio De La Cruz questioning the Dallas Mavericks guard’s act that merited such an award in the first place.
“Say what? What the hell did he do? You are losing your mind,” he wrote.
A basketball influencer could not hide his disbelief with the lawmaker’s proposed measure, and a hoops enthusiast pointed out that Irving is not deserving of such merit.
“We are cooked,” the influencer said.
“(Expletive), me too hell. He ain’t special. I got threatened at my job too,” another user added.
Another netizen said that awarding sports personalities such as Irving showed that the government is making another effort to fail the people. “Won’t be enough. Governments & system failed us in so many ways,” he opined.
A Miami Heat fan hit Luna’s proposal, writing: “Lord help us here comes the grift 😫,” the fan wrote.
A user expressed disbelief that St. Petersburg voted for her and claimed that the NBA star will not come to the White House to receive the award.
“Kyrie Irving isn’t going to the White House to accept that (expletive). I can’t believe St. Pete elected your (expletive).”
Not everyone in the NBA world opposed the proposal.
Sports content creator Jon Root agreed with Luna, saying that Irving, like other athletes who bravely stood for their beliefs by declining the COVID-19 jab, should be recognized by the government.
“It needs to be given to Kyrie Irving, Novak Djokovic, Tyler Bertuzzi, Aaron Rodgers, & Cole Beasley. All of these brave men deserve recognition,” Root said.
Irving’s decision at the time affected his financial well-being: he turned down a major contract extension with the Nets before the 2021-22 season while sidelined. He was eventually traded to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season, and the superstar guard still competes for the team.
