Longtime ESPN sideline reporter Allison Williams has announced she's stepping away over her preference not to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Williams, who has covered mostly college football and basketball sidelines for the last 10 years with the Worldwide Leader, revealed her decision on social media on Thursday.
She cited her plan to become pregnant again as why she is abstaining from the vaccine.
"While my work is incredibly important to me, the most important role I have is as a mother," Williams said. "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."
Last month, the CDC issued updated guidance recommending all pregnant people or people who are thinking about becoming pregnant to get vaccinated.
However, Williams, while acknowledging the "essential" role of vaccines in controlling the pandemic, said it was "not in my best interest" to get jabbed.
She said it was a "deeply difficult decision" to make, and she looks forward to returning to reporting at some point. It was unclear if she was merely on hiatus or ending her employment with ESPN altogether, and whether the door was open for her to return there.
ESPN is owned by the Walt Disney Company, which announced its company-wide vaccine mandate policy in late July.
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