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Mayor Adams to Lift COVID Vaccine Mandate for Athletes Today

And just like that Kyrie Irving, and the number of undisclosed Mets and Yankees can now return to the field of play. Less than 24 hours after standing firmly behind…

Brooklyn Nets v Charlotte Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 08: (R-L) Kevin Durant #7 congratulates Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 08, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

And just like that Kyrie Irving, and the number of undisclosed Mets and Yankees can now return to the field of play.

Less than 24 hours after standing firmly behind his sentiment that he would not lift the private employer mandate that requires employees in New York City to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which also includes professional athletes, there are reports that Mayor Eric Adams will remove the mandate for athletes today.  That means that Kyrie Irving, who has not gotten the jab against COVID, as well as a number of unnamed New York Mets and Yankees players will be able to play in home games.

Irving will be eligible to in Barclays Center March 27 when the Nets host the Charlotte Hornets. Irving was averaging 27 points per game in 19 road games this season. Last night, the NBA superstar put down 43 points in Brooklyn's 132-120 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, the Mets and Yankees are closing in on the end of an abbreviated spring training, and there had been concern that a number of key players were unvaccinated, although no names had ever been officially documented. Many in the press assumed that players like Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom were possibly unvaccinated based on evasive comments.

With the Yankees set to open the season April 7 against the Boston Red Sox, and the Mets home opener scheduled for April 15, now those concerns should be put the wayside.

Ironically, unvaccinated players on road teams were allowed to play in games in New York against the Nets and Knicks, and would have been allowed to do so agianst the Mets and Yankees. Talk about a competitive advantage.

Mayor Adams is expected to address the media today at 11:30 from Citi Field.

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.