NBA referee Ken Mauer forced to suspend his career for not getting vaccinated / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA - Scanpix Credit GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA - Scanpix

NBA referee Ken Mauer worked in the world's strongest basketball league for 36 years - since the 1986–87 NBA season. The 66-year-old didn't plan on retiring, but his refereeing career was cut short by Covid vaccination mandates.

Mauer appeared on Jason Whitlock's show "Fearless", speaking about his decision not to get vaccinated due to religious beliefs. According to Mauer's research, vaccines were developed from aborted fetal tissue. Since Mauer was raised a Catholic, his beliefs prevent him from getting such vaccines into his body.

"I never thought that my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ would prevent me or stop me or get in the way of me refereeing NBA basketball games," Mauer said. "Not to just me, but other people."

The former referee said that 17 other referees initially refused to get vaccinated. However, Mauer explained that most of his former colleagues decided to get the shot.

Since a mandatory requirement for referees to get vaccinated was included for this season in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, refs had to comply in order to continue doing their job.

"There are many referees who were forced to because they have children, they have families, and they have bills to pay," Mauer said. "They're scared, and I'm not. I'm never going to take the vaccine. I'm not ashamed of what I'm doing. In fact, I'm very proud of what I'm doing. I'm very proud of my faith."

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