LeBron James is vaccinated but says other players should be able to decide for themselves
- LeBron James said that he is vaccinated against COVID-19 at Lakers' media day on Tuesday.
- James said he did not feel it was his place to tell others what to do with their bodies.
- "We're talking about individual's bodies," James said.
LeBron James confirmed on Tuesday that he is vaccinated against COVID-19.
James said that he didn't feel comfortable speaking to what others should do about getting vaccinated but that he had made the decision for his family.
"I think what it comes down to is I can speak about myself," James said. "I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family. I know that I was very skeptical about it all, but after doing my research, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but for my family, my friends, and that's why I decided to do it."
James said that although he had decided to get vaccinated, he believed the choice was a personal matter for others.
"You guys know me. Anything that I talk about, I don't talk about other people and what they should do. I speak for me and for my family," James said.
He continued:
"We're talking about individual's bodies. We're not talking about something that's political or racism or police brutality, things of that nature. We're talking about people's bodies and well-being. So I don't feel like, for me personally, that I should get involved in what other people should do for their bodies and their livelihoods.
"You have to do what's best for you and your family. I know what some of my friends did for their families. But as far as speaking for everybody and their individualities and things they want to do, I don't feel like that's my job."
USA Today's Mark Medina shared a video of James' presser on Twitter.
James' comments come as the NBA faces a reckoning of sorts concerning player vaccination heading into the start of the 2021-22 season.
As media days began this week, several players made clear that they remained unvaccinated and had no plans of getting the jab any time soon.
Some players may even be forced to miss games given the rules set up around group gatherings in several NBA host cities.
With James confirming that he is vaccinated, we can be sure that he will not be among them.