Allison Williams steps away from ESPN after refusing Covid-19 vaccine

This veteran reporter has announced that she will step down from her role because she will not take the COVID-19 vaccine.

American Allison Williams, a veteran college football sideline reporter for ESPN, announced she will be opting out of the season because she will not take the Covid-19 vaccine.

“While my work is incredibly important to me, the most important role I have is as a mother,” she wrote in a statement on Twitter. “Throughout our family planning with our doctor, as well as a fertility specialist, I have decided not to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at this time while my husband and I try for a second child.

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“This was a deeply difficult decision to make and it’s not something I take lightly. I understand vaccines have been essential in the effort to end this pandemic; however, taking the vaccine at this time is not in my best interest.

“After a lot of prayer and deliberation, I have decided I must put my family and personal health first. I will miss being on the sidelines and am thankful for the support of my ESPN family. I look forward to when I can return to the games and job that I love.”

Williams has been at ESPN since 2011 and has been one of their most prominent sideline reporters for college football and basketball games. On at least one occasion — last October’s matchup between Miami and Clemson — she was on the network’s top broadcast team with Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler.

As in broader society, vaccine mandates have been a topic of discussion in sports media. The New York Post reported that American broadcasters John Smoltz and Al Leiter would be doing their MLB Network work from home out of refusal to get the jab. Smoltz is also a top commentator on Fox’s baseball coverage, and has continued in that role uninterrupted.

ESPN’s parent company, Disney, announced last month that all employees were required to be fully vaccinated.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission