A former West Virginia University football player has accused his former head coach, Neal Brown, of pressuring him to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under threat of losing his starting position. Tyler Sumpter, who played punter and placekicker for the Mountaineers in 2020, stated on the social media platform X that Brown told him he would lose his job if he did not get vaccinated.
Sumpter said he felt "backed into a corner" and agreed to be vaccinated to preserve his opportunity. However, he claims his kicking duties were ultimately given to another player, Casey Legg, despite Sumpter continuing to punt for the team in 2021 and averaging 43.5 yards per kick.
Sumpter expressed regret, stating, "I made a permanent medical decision because I believed it was the only way to keep chasing my dream. Instead, I lost the opportunity anyway. I'll always wonder if that season could have led to the NFL." He added that he now has to "live with a decision I felt pressured into making-and worry about my health every day."
Sumpter did not report experiencing any specific health side effects from the vaccine. He currently works in film production.
Brown, who was fired from West Virginia University in 2024, is now the head football coach at North Texas. The Daily Mail has reached out to Brown through the University of North Texas and to WVU Athletics for comment.
In 2021, the NCAA did not issue a vaccine mandate for student athletes but provided guidance and imposed restrictions on unvaccinated individuals, such as mask requirements during practices and meetings. Individual schools, athletic departments, and coaches had the authority to implement stricter policies.
