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
1819 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.
“It was to a point where you got the feeling that if you didn’t get the vaccine, you, like, basically were going to be kind of excluded from the rest of the team,” he continued.
“You were basically told that without getting the vaccine, you were hurting the team,” he added.
“Davis Heller was forced to get the C0VID shots to play baseball for @UofAlabama. His exemption from a cardiologist was denied, and Davis died on his couch studying for a test. I spoke with his father @ncm20az and will share our conversation tomorrow,” Bowden said.
Davis Heller was forced to get the C0VID shots to play baseball for @UofAlabama. His exemption from a cardiologist was denied, and Davis died on his couch studying for a test.
I spoke with his father @ncm20az and will share our conversation tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/03zgwEUxxT
— Mary Talley Bowden MD (@MdBreathe) October 13, 2024
From America Out Loud News:
Today, I talk to DJ Heller, whose son, Davis, died unexpectedly and suddenly at the age of twenty-one. Davis, an all-star athlete, was required to get the COVID shots to play for the University of Alabama’s baseball team. Davis’ cardiologist recommended he not get the shots and wrote him an exemption letter, but the University refused to accept it. Davis died nine months later of “sudden cardiac arrest” while studying for an exam on his sofa.
Davis was an accomplished athlete with an incredibly positive attitude who said he wanted to be the “best teammate in the country.” He struggled with the decision to get the COVID shots but succumbed so he could fulfill his dream to play collegiate baseball.
Heller spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons playing with the Crimson Tide before transferring to North Greenville University.
He passed away during his first semester at North Greenville.
