Former NBA star Andrew Bogut blasts Covid lockdown and claims athletes have been gagged

Australian ex-NBA star Andrew Bogut has claimed sports stars had been gagged from talking about Covid and revealed he was offered money to promote stay at home orders.

Former NBA star Andrew Bogut blasted the extent of Covid lockdowns and claimed Australian sporting stars had been gagged at making public comments on the subject.

In a scathing Instagram video, Bogut alleged: “Athletes that are on contract in our biggest leagues in Australia, AFL, NRL have been told not to make anti-lockdown, anti-government statements on social media, period”.

“I’m enemy number one because I am not on anyone’s teat, they can’t shut me up,” Bogut said.

“So for those of you out there who are scratching your head in these tough times thinking where are all these sports stars or influencers … why can’t they go in to bat for me, that’s your reason.”

Bogut also claimed he was offered money to post “stay at home” messages on his social media accounts but refused. “I’m enemy No. 1 because I am not on anyone’s teat, they can’t shut me up,” Bogut said.

“I got offered money to put out a public service announcement, to tell you … to stay home. Would have been something like this: ‘Hi, I’m Andrew Bogut … it is your duty to stay home.’

“I’ve got money in my bank account, I’m good, I’m fine … but you do the right thing for the community, we are all in this together.

“I refuse to do that s**t.”

The former No. 1 draft pick and NBA champion’s post on Instagram drew a string of reactions including from Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury, who commented with the clapping hands emoji.

Bogut said governments should not let Covid “rip” through the community but “we also shouldn’t lock down the way we are – I think there’s a middle ground”.

He also questioned by Foodbank Victoria had to close its drive-through service in Melbourne at a time when families were in need. “Foodbank Victoria … shut down because of worries about it being a hotspot for coronavirus, because there was a line of people wanting free f**king food,” Bogut said in the Instagram spray.

“Victoria Police … at the protest can have 1,000 officers in the city, pepper spraying, shooting people with rubber bullets … they couldn’t get 100 officers directing traffic to a f**king food bank. Think about that one.”

Bogut retired from professional basketball late last year after a 15-year career on the court that spanned Australia and the US.

Originally published as Former NBA star Andrew Bogut blasts Covid lockdown and claims athletes have been gagged