Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has become exceedingly well known for three things.
One, being an exceptional basketball player.
Two, refusing to get vaccinated for COVID-19, which caused him to miss a significant number of games this past season.
Three, saying really weird things and lacking a lot of self-awareness.
This is what leads us to a recent interview in which Irving referred to himself as a “martyr” over missing NBA games because of New York State requirements related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving says he was living the "life of a martyr" when he couldn't play in home games for being unvaccinated against COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/y2FEZxQg2T
— The Recount (@therecount) May 5, 2022
This is the point where we remind everyone that, to be a martyr, you have to be dead.
Irving has not been shy in the way he’s discussed the past couple of years and his insistence on not getting vaccinated. He recently went on a rare Twitter rant denouncing critics, reporters, and “puppet masters” while also describing those who criticize the Brooklyn Nets over their disappointing season as part of a “twisted/racist society.” It’s a lot.
Irving’s reputation for speaking out against…things, has certainly garnered him a certain reputation in NBA circles. And his latest comments received a ton of reactions from fans and other NBA folks, including Irving’s recent nemesis, Stephen A. Smith.
.@stephenasmith reacts to Kyrie Irving saying he lives "the life of a martyr."
"What a brilliant businessman. … How many people can get over 30 million a year for doing your job a quarter of the time?" pic.twitter.com/hT78XtJuNM
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1522224989092651008
“Living the life of a martyr” is a contradiction in terms…sigh…it’s just easier to call Kyrie a jackass https://t.co/awflzZk6cc
— Patrick Fenelon 🌹 (@Patrick_Fenelon) May 5, 2022
Kyrie Irving is, literally, not a martyr.
He is alive. https://t.co/W5yiRiT5d6
— Ryan Morik (@RyanMorik) May 5, 2022
"Life of a martyr, bro"
Definition of martyr: a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.
You can't be alive, and a martyr, Kyrie. https://t.co/XIHBZSN5OL
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) May 5, 2022
Kyrie called himself a martyr 😂😂😂
— Worldwide Hef (@BarryHefner) May 5, 2022
No doubt, Irving will see the backlash to referring to himself as a “martyr” and come up with something entirely for everyone to admire the audacity involved. He’s certainly got a lot of time as the Nets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.