ESPN’s Allison Williams is being blasted on Twitter for her announcement that she is stepping away from broadcasting for a while because she is trying to get pregnant and does not want to take the company’s mandated coronavirus vaccine at this time.
The longtime ESPN college football and basketball reporter posted a thoughtful and reasonable post to Twitter explaining why she won’t be on the sidelines interviewing players and coaches this season.
“My heart hurts posting this but I’m at peace with my decision,” she Twitter on Thursday. “While my work is incredibly important to me, the most important role I have is as a mother. Throughout our family planning with our doctor, as well as a fertility specialist, I have decided not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at this time while my husband and I try for a second child.
“This was a deeply difficult decision to make and it’s not something I take lightly,” Williams added. “I understand vaccines have been essential in the effort to end this pandemic; however, taking the vaccine at this time is not in my best interest. After a lot of prayer and deliberation, I have decided I must put my family and personal health first. I will miss being on the sidelines and am thankful for the support of my ESPN family. I look forward to when I can return to the games and job that I love.”
This will be the first fall in the last 15 years I won’t be on the sidelines for College Football.
My heart hurts posting this but I’m at peace with my decision. pic.twitter.com/np5V3gdrfW— Allison Williams (@AllisonW_Sports) September 9, 2021
Williams’ decision to take a break from her 25-year broadcast career came on the heels of ESPN’s announcement that it was requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated.
Williams, however, decided not to risk taking the vaccine while trying to get pregnant.
ESPN responded to the issue by saying that they have a policy of dealing with the vaccine issue on a case-by-case basis.
“We are going through a thorough review of accommodation requests on a case by case basis, and are granting accommodations where warranted,” ESPN’s statement said. “Our focus is on a safe work environment for everyone.”
Still, despite her logical and thought-out decision, many jumped to Twitter to blast Williams for refusing the vaccine.
Of all the maddening ways people refuse lifesaving, medicine, playing the fertility card is the most cruel and dangerous.
There's absolutely NO evidence the vax will hurt fertility, but there's AMPLE evidence Covid is VERY dangerous for pregnant people:https://t.co/2ONxJGcCxc
— Jane C. Timm (@janestreet) September 10, 2021
There isn't uncertainty though. 🏻♀️
— melshizzy (@melshizzy) September 10, 2021
Don’t blame your unborn child. What a cop out. Societal recommendations are to vaccinate. If you don’t want to for your own selfish reasons then don’t. But don’t lie about
— Amy Nowocin (@ausandem) September 10, 2021
20% of patients in Tennessee ICUs are pregnant. Being unvaccinated and pregnant is dangerous.
— prairiegrass (@ppisciot) September 10, 2021
There is ZERO evidence of the vaccine having any effect on fertility. i would love to know who her "fertility specialist" is. Alex Jones? https://t.co/D1LhU1AH7i
— Marc Andreyko – Writer of Stuff (@marcandreyko) September 10, 2021
Allison Williams is one of *them*????? Oh nooooooooo
— smoot 🍌 (@adamsmoot) September 10, 2021
Goodbye and don't come back.
— Marjorie Horeis (@HoreisMarjorie) September 10, 2021
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.