Wait, so is his voice important or is it none of our business what he has to say or do? Because it can only be one or the other. If his voice is important, then he should have to explain his unsolicited public statement regarding the vaccine. If no one should give a shit what he has to say about the topic because it's "none of our business" then clearly his voice is unimportant in the discussion.
The line in his tweet about not advocating for the vaccine kinda gives away the game. If it's a personal medical reason for not getting it, that's not a reason for him to refuse to advocate for those who are medically cleared for the vaccine to get it as soon as they are eligible. He's philosophically opposed to the vaccine. Fine. I have zero qualms about calling him an asshole for that position.
Hmmm, *I'm* saying that his voice is important, because you know, ALL voices are important - not just the ones that I agree with, or the ones that aren't held by people I believe to be assholes. I'm pretty consistent there, there can be no doubt.
I’ve received some questions and some requests regarding the vaccine. And for personal reasons and past experience I will not be taking it or advocating for it. I hope I don’t have to explain myself. And hope you all make the best decision for you and your family’s health
a) His statement is that he's received questions and some requests (maybe his employers asking him to make a pro-vaccine PSA???). On what planet do you take that to mean that he offered an unsolicited public statement? He's pretty clear in that, I've got no reason to disbelieve him. Sounds like you are the one who wants it both ways to be honest.
b) No, he won't be taking the vaccine, nor advocating for it. So, IMO, he has fulfilled any obligation he has as a public voice having been specifically asked the question. He was respectful, and said the decision was personal. So, NO, beyond that statement, it is NONE of my business. There's no inconsistency on my part. He IS a public figure, he HAS been asked the question, he answered the question politely, and wished everyone else the best decision for them and their family. That's as graceful as it gets from a modern athlete, while actually answering the question. The fact that you don't like his personal decision, or that because of the inference you drew based on him declining to advocate for it makes him an asshole in your eyes is more a reflection on you than it is on him.
Again, you don't know his personal experiences (which he did reference). But you've decided he is an asshole. You do you. I for example talked to my physician about the vaccines. His answer was that the "actual data about covid from a science perspective was all over the map". He recommended following all safety protocols to prevent spread and contracting covid. But his response was that anyone that was of reproductive age should think long and hard before accepting an experimental medical procedure that used a medical strategy never implemented before (my paraphrased words: mucking with DNA) and which had NEVER been substantially tested on humans previously. So, if following that summary of information from my medical doctor who knows my specific medical history, and has treated me for over 10 years places me in the asshole bucket in your eyes, I'll live with it.
Finally: This baseball player who has his own private family and medical history (and I assume with the medical advice of his own physician) has made his choice not to take it. If, he further decided he couldn't then in good conscience advocate someone else to make a different decision than he did - it would indicate he was a person of principle, not an asshole. I don't have to agree with him, to respect that he wasn't going to advocate for/make a PSA that he didn't believe in. [All conjecture on my part, I'm assuming the 'requests' part.]
Experimental medical procedure with a DNA modification strategy never implemented before and not substantially tested in humans to prevent an event with a 99.7% or better survival rate in healthy people younger than 70.