An NBA legend was banned as a spectator for not wanting to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and not wearing a mask

John Stockton spoke out against vaccines and the use of face masks (Getty Images)

The controversies over those not vaccinated against COVID-19 continue and in this case it is about John Stockton, a living legend of the NBA and owner of two records such as being the maximum assistant and the one who stole the most balls in the history of the most important basketball league in the world. The former point guard was kicked out of games at Gonzaga University where he initially excelled on his team, The Bulldogs, before shining professionally on the Utah Jazz where he played with integrity throughout his career.

The 59-year-old former player was in the habit of attending his university teams, but in an interview with the American media The Spokesman Review, published this Sunday, revealed that the entity’s director, Chris Standiford, notified him that by refusing to wear the mask, as established by Washington state regulations, they should prohibit him from seeing the Bulldogs.

“Basically, it came down to me being asked to wear a mask at games. And, being a public figure, someone a little more visible, he stood out a little bit from the crowd. They asked me to wear a mask or they would suspend me. When they change the rule, they will give me tickets again”, confessed who also knew how to win two gold medals at the Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games with the remembered Dream Team.

John Stockton was a regular attendee at college games (Getty Images)
John Stockton was a regular attendee at college games (Getty Images)

Stockton has long spoken out against COVID-19 vaccines and has also been critical of isolation measures and the use of face masks. In June 2021, the former number 12 raised his critical thinking in a documentary called “COVID and the Vaccine: The Truth, the Lies and the Misconceptions Revealed”.

The former player who at his university had an average of 12.5 points and 5.7 assists on average, sentenced: “The vaccine has already killed more than 100 professional athletes, as well as thousands – perhaps millions – of people. In fact, I think that right now the number of athletes is greater. At the top of their careers and dead because of being vaccinated.”

In addition, he assured that his son David, 27, who is also aligned in his thinking, was harmed. “The opportunity to be signed by an NBA team was restricted by the state of the vaccines,” said the former figure who was a contemporary of Michael Jordan among other stars.

John Stockton in action against Muggsy Bogues of the Charlotte Hornets (SPORT NBA)
John Stockton in action against Muggsy Bogues of the Charlotte Hornets (SPORT NBA)

David, who also plays point guard, although without his father’s talent, plays for the Memphis Hustle of the G-League, the NBA Development League. “He has played in two bubbles, he has been separated from his family, he has been asked to take daily tests where no one else has even though he has not contracted COVID-19,” his father said.

For its part, Gonzaga University issued a statement: “Gonzaga University continues to work hard to implement and enforce health protocols and security required by the State and the University’s policy, including the reinforcement of the requirement to use face masks indoors,” the press release begins.

“Attendees of basketball games are required to wear masks at all times. We will not speak of specific actions taken with specific individuals. We are serious about enforcing COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Gonzaga University places the highest priority on protecting the health and safety of students, employees and the community.”

In the meantime, John Stockton will have to follow his varsity on television as his position is firm and the university will continue with the reported restrictions.

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An NBA legend was banned as a spectator for not wanting to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and not wearing a mask