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League: NBASport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: Recruiting

Congress calls for Trump to award Kyrie Irving the Medal of Freedom

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 7:36 PM

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

Congress calls for Trump to award Kyrie Irving the Medal of Freedom
Summary

U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna urged President Donald Trump to grant Kyrie Irving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing Irving’s refusal to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic as an act of bravery. This call follows ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith’s recent apology for previously criticizing Irving’s stance. Smith now views Irving's decisions through a different lens, stating that he did not do anyone wrong. As of now, Irving continues to focus on helping the Dallas Mavericks return to the playoffs.

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Yahoo Sports
Key Details
  • •Anna Paulina Luna proposes Irving for the Medal of Freedom.
  • •Stephen A. Smith apologizes for past criticism of Irving.
  • •Irving’s vaccine stance was controversial during the pandemic.
  • •Irving currently aims to help the Mavericks make the playoffs.
Latest Updates
  • 7:36 PMYahoo Sports — Donald Trump faces call from Congress to give Kyrie Irving the Medal of Freedom
What they're saying
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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith nearly lost his life in 2022 to COVID-19, but that isn’t stopping him from asserting that Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving was right about the virus all along. Irving, then a member of the Brooklyn Nets, infamously refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and Smith was one of the most…

Related Teams & Leagues
Brooklyn NetsDallas MavericksNBABasketball

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