Red Sox Pitcher, NFL Analyst Latest Victims of Vax Status

Tanner Houck, a Boston Red Sox starting pitcher, is Mel Kiper Jr. who analyzes the NFL Draft. They share one thing in common.

These men have not been vaccinated and will therefore be unable to perform their duties.

Houck and Red Sox will be visiting the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada on April 26th. Houck won’t make it due to having not received the jab. The MLB does not require that players get vaccinated, but socialist-minded Canada still wants its citizens and anyone who enters to have at least two doses of a long list of vaccines. But while Houck is certainly disappointed that he will not be able to help guide his team to victory, he remains steadfast in his decision that getting vaccinated is a personal choice (which of course, it is). 

Tanner Houck tells the Globe that he’s not vaccinated against COVID-19. Because of Canada’s vaccine mandate, Houck won’t be able to pitch next Tuesday in Toronto.

“I think it’s a personal choice for everyone whether they get it or not,” Houck said

https://t.co/Jj2tNquABz

— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) April 17, 2022

Several other Boston players will not be able to make the trip to Canada because of their vaccination status as well

Kiper will be facing a similar dilemma with the NFL Draft scheduled for April 28th to the 30th in Las Vegas. Due to the fact that he is not vaccinated, Kiper will have to report from his home studio in Maryland, marking just the second time he has done his reporting virtually since he began this role in 1984 (the other being in 2020).

Kiper stated that his medical history was the basis for the decision, although he was not specific about what condition made it difficult to get the vaccine.

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“I completely support everyone determining whats best for their individual circumstances and recognize the value of vaccines,” he said via Twitter. Simply put, I made my Covid vaccine decision based on my personal medical history.

My 39th ESPN appearance, I’m looking forward to participating in the 2022 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/C5ea9NjdqK

— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) April 18, 2022

Both men have made the right decision and are saving money in the long run. No one can force these men to have the vaccine until they decide to.