Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers is on board if the NBA becomes the first professional sports organization to oversee distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Sixers coach's words carry weight.
There are questions as to how players and coaches will respond to vaccination in the event it is made readily available, notably if the NBA can make vaccination mandatory.
Rivers said he understands the skepticism surrounding the vaccine, referencing the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in Macon County, Alabama that ultimately denied Black men treatment for syphilis.
However, Doc Rivers also said he believes the science with respect to COVID-19, and would hope the Federal Drug Administration has taken the appropriate steps to ensure the safe distribution of a vaccine:
“Because I trust it. I’m not a conspiracist right now,” Sixers coach Doc Rivers said, via Mark Medina of USA TODAY. “Obviously you want it to be done right. You’re hoping that all the things that should have been done have been done by the FDA and everybody else. But I have no problem taking it.”
It seems unlikely everyone in the league shares Rivers' openness.
Medina quotes Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors as saying he usually tries to “stay away” from medicine. However, Favors also acknowledges the seriousness and widespread nature of the pandemic.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN previously reported the NBA is preparing to establish a plan of action if they are afforded distribution of the vaccine. One of the key components of the plan has to do with providing educational resources from players and coaches.
There is still likely to be some tentativeness throughout the league. But the Sixers coach is not among those who will challenge vaccination.
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