State sports personalities promote COVID vaccine

Coaches Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams and Kevin Keatts, along with NASCAR legend Richard Petty are among those appearing in public service announcements urging NC residents to 'Take their shot'

Some of the state’s most famous and influential sports personalities have come together in an effort help the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services promote usage of the coronavirus vaccine.

Among those recording personal message for public service announcements in the “You have your spot; Take your shot” campaign are basketball coaches Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Roy Williams of North Carolina and NC State’s Kevin Keatts, along with seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty.

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In the videos, the celebrities give their reasons for choosing to get vaccinated and how doing so can help protect others as well as yourself.

To date, more than 1.2 million North Carolinians have become fully vaccinated.

Here’s a sampling of the comments:

Williams says he trusts the scientists and took the vaccine “to protect myself and others, and to live longer” …

Petty says he was reluctant to get the vaccine at first, “but after looking at all of the statistics — I don’t see anything after you take the shot. Everyone seems to get along with it pretty good” …

Keatts says he’s excited about the direction things are going now that COVID vaccines have become readily available …

Former UNC national champion and Elon women’s basketball coach Charlotte Smith stressed the importance of the vaccine for those, like herself, who suffer from autoimmune conditions …