Family, Former Teammate Of College Baseball Player Who Died After Receiving COVID-19 Shot Describe Pressure From Coaches To Get Jab
By Danielle
The family of a former University of Alabama baseball player who passed away after receiving an experimental COVID-19 jab said their son’s coaches pressured him into getting the shot.
Davis James Heller, 22, died on October 5, 2022, from a cardiac episode.
“His father, DJ Heller, told 1819 News his son did not want to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Heller presented a fake vaccination card the first year. But when it was time for a second vaccination, DJ Heller said his son felt guilty despite having a pre-existing condition,” 1819 News reports.
“The coach, trainer and doctor never acknowledged what happened, but Davis’ teammate has come forward to describe the pressure they felt,” Dr. Mary Talley Bowden said.
Davis Heller took one for the team, and it cost him his life.
The coach, trainer and doctor never acknowledged what happened, but Davis’ teammate has come forward to describe the pressure they felt. @AlabamaBSB https://t.co/G1Jo53eWnm pic.twitter.com/6bmp7vB5fC
— Mary Talley Bowden MD (@MdBreathe) October 17, 2024
The university told the outlet there were never official COVID-19 jab mandates for any sport.
“No student-athletes at The University of Alabama were ever required to be vaccinated against COVID,” the university told 1819 News.
“To state otherwise is false,” it added.
However, a former teammate of Heller’s described the pressure players felt to get the experimental shot to the outlet.
The family of a University of Alabama baseball player who passed away after being pressured into getting the COVID-19 vaccine is raising awareness and helping young athletes succeed.
Davis James Heller was only 22 years old and had a promising baseball career ahead of him when he… pic.twitter.com/wrlbXg2Rxa— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) October 16, 2024
819 News reports:
However, Heller told his parents that coaches told the team it was selfish not to get vaccinated. Without the shot, players were not allowed to go out to eat on road trips or eat in the dining hall, Heller told his parents. They also had to be tested for COVID twice a week and quarantined for five days after every contact trace, according to Heller.
He told his parents the coaches strongly advised them to get the shot if they planned to play ball. Even though he had a medical exemption from a doctor, Heller did not want to let anyone down.
“So, when he got there in the second year and was told he would not be able to go into a locker room or a training room, he knew he would basically be isolated,” DJ Heller said. “Now looking back on it, he reluctantly decided to get it. He was completely distraught about it and towards the end of that year, he didn’t get a whole lot of opportunities.”
Davis Heller’s teammate Jim Jarvis spoke to 1819 News about his friend and his own experience feeling pressured to get the vaccine.
The pair became fast friends when they played in the same San Diego league. Jarvis said Heller was an amazing player, and even though they were on opposing teams, he was respectful.
“There were like different guidelines if you didn’t get the vaccine and those guidelines came off as very, very strict,” Jarvis told the outlet.