Former boxer Floyd Mayweather expressed support for Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving’s refusal to get vaccinated, praising the basketball player’s “free mind.”
Choice is defined as an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. America gave us the choice to take the vaccine or not take the vaccine. As time moves on, that choice is gradually being stripped from us. pic.twitter.com/7F6RsWaDkL
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) October 25, 2021
The former boxer posted a video to Twitter speaking directly to Irving, reading a statement applauding the point guard’s “integrity” as he continues to resist the NBA’s order he comply with New York’s vaccine mandate, which restricts unvaccinated people from entering gyms, restaurants, and other venues.
“You only want to be treated fair … You [are] a great person, great father, great athlete, and you believe what you believe,” he told Irving. “America is the land of the free: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and, supposedly, freedom to choose … I respect you for having some integrity and for being your own man.”
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Mayweather praised Irving as a “free mind,” criticizing “enslaved” minds for “follow[ing] the crowd.”
“Stand for something or fall for anything. One man can lead a revolution, to stand up and fight for what’s right. One choice, one word, one action can change the world,” he continued. “It’s crazy how people hate you for being a leader. I hope your actions encourage many others to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’ Respect to you, Kyrie, and power to the people.”
Last month, the Nets banned Irving from playing in games or practice unless he complied with New York’s vaccine policy. The basketball player declined, stating in an Instagram live post that his decision not to get the vaccine was personal, not political.
“That was my choice. And I would ask y’all just to respect that choice. I’m going to just continue to stay in shape, be ready to play, be ready to rock out with my teammates, and just be part of this whole thing, you know?” he said. “This is not a political thing here.”
Irving’s refusal to comply earned him support from demonstrators, who protested the Nets’ decision to sideline him.
Mayweather is no stranger to controversy. The former boxer reportedly declined to take a picture with a fan on Saturday because he had painted nails.
“You got painted nails. I don’t take pictures with guys with no painted nails,” he told the fan on Saturday, according to TMZ.
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The former boxer is also being sued by a jeweler who claims the fighter hasn’t paid her for $380,000 worth of jewelry.
