The Magic Insider

Magic Forward Jonathan Isaac on Declining COVID-19 Vaccine: 'It Felt Forced'

The Magic forward explains his reasoning for not getting vaccinated.

Jeremy Brener

Magic Forward Jonathan Isaac on Declining COVID-19 Vaccine: 'It Felt Forced'
Magic Forward Jonathan Isaac on Declining COVID-19 Vaccine: 'It Felt Forced' /

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac hasn't seen the basketball court since tearing his ACL in the bubble back in 2020.

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Ashley Landis/USA Today Sports

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac
Russell Isabella/USA Today Sports

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac
Russell Isabella/USA Today Sports

Jonathan Isaac

But Isaac has still made an impression on many people despite not suiting up for the Magic.

Over the weekend, Isaac spoke in Myrtle Beach at the ReAwaken America Tour by Clay Clark and explained his reasoning behind being the only Magic player to not get a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Viewing it, it seemed forced," Isaac said. "It seemed that there was so much pressure in doing it. I don’t see the wisdom in putting something into my body that’s not going to stop me from getting the virus or transmitting it. That is why I decided to be the only player on my team to not get vaccinated.”

Isaac isn't the only player in the NBA to opt out of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving was the face of the anti-vaccination movement across the NBA this season, and Philadelphia 76ers forward Matisse Thybulle was unable to play in two playoff games in Toronto last month due to his vaccination status.

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac
Kim Klement/USA Today Sports

Jonathan Isaac

This also isn't the first time Isaac has faced scrutiny for his decisions. In the bubble, Isaac stood during the national anthem while the rest of his team kneeled in protest of police brutality in the United States.

Isaac is entering the second year of his four-year contract with the Magic after signing a 4-year, $80 million extension shortly after tearing his ACL in August 2020.

Isaac is expected to make a full recovery this offseason and return to the court for the start of the 2022-23 season in October.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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