Gregg Popovich became one of the first members the NBA to get the COVID-19 vaccine, calling it a 'no-brainer'
- Gregg Popovich received the COVID-19 vaccine in a PSA made by the NBA.
- Popovich, 73, called getting the vaccine a "no-brainer," saying it will keep him and his family safe.
- The NBA has said it won't jump the line for vaccines but has also said it discussed getting its players vaccinated early to encourage public vaccination.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich became one of the first members among NBA coaches and players to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a PSA made by the NBA to encourage people to get the vaccine, Popovich received the vaccine, calling it a "no-brainer" to keep him safe. Popovich turns 73 on Thursday and is deemed an "at-risk" individual.
"It will keep me safe, keep my family safe and keep other people safe," Popovich said. He added: "Science-wise, it's a no-brainer."
Popovich said he didn't even feel the shot as he was given it.
According to USA Today's Mark Medina, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also took part in a similar PSA.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the NBA won't jump the line for vaccines, though Silver has also said the league would be open to vaccinating members as part of a public message to encourage vaccine participation.
Silver's comments came as Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said that there is hesitation to getting the vaccine in the African America community, citing the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.
"Several public health officials - and this is operating state by state right now - have suggested there would be a real public health benefit to getting some very high-profile African Americans vaccinated to demonstrate to the larger community that it is safe and effective," Silver said.
"At the appropriate time, whenever that is and whether that's directed federally by NIH or CDC or ultimately state-by-state programs, we think there's real value in our players demonstrating to a broader community how important it is to get vaccinated."