By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-14 16:44:59 | Updated at 2026-08-14 19:15:56
4 hours ago
A former West Virginia University football player has accused his then-coach of pressuring him to take the COVID-19 vaccine under the threat of lost playing time.
Tyler Sumpter was the Mountaineers punter and placekicker in 2020, but now claims the kicking duties were given to another player even though he complied with head coach Neal Brown’s request that he be vaccinated.
Tagging the NCAA in his post on X, Sumpter argued that athletes should not be pressured into ‘major health decisions over a starting position.’
‘In 2021, I was supposed to be the starting punter and field goal kicker at West Virginia,’ Sumpter wrote on X. ‘Coach Neal Brown told me I'd lose my kicking job if I didn't get the COVID vaccine.
‘I felt backed into a corner, so I got vaccinated to keep my opportunity,’ he continued. ‘Then he never gave me my kicking job back.’
To be clear, Sumpter continued punting for the Mountaineers in 2021, averaging a respectable 43.5 yards across 52 attempts, a dozen of which were downed within the 20-yard line.
Sumpter was the Mountaineers punter and placekicker in 2020, but now claims his kicking duties were given to another player after he acquiesced to his coach's vaccine demand
Sumpter continued punting for the Mountaineers in 2021, averaging a respectable 43.5 yards across 52 attempts, a dozen of which were downed within the 20-yard line
Tagging the NCAA in his post on X, Sumpter argued that athletes should not be pressured into ‘major health decisions over a starting position.’ He then gave a sarcastic 'thanks' to Brown
However, the team’s place-kicking duties were given to the appropriately named Casey Legg, who made 19 of 23 attempts only to abruptly retire from football following the 2022 season.
Sumpter, though, still wanted to pursue the NFL and now blames Brown for depriving him of that opportunity.
‘I made a permanent medical decision because I believed it was the only way to keep chasing my dream,’ Sumpter wrote. ‘Instead, I lost the opportunity anyway. I'll always wonder if that season could have led to the NFL.
‘Now I have to live with a decision I felt pressured into making-and worry about my health every day,’ he concluded. ‘Thanks a lot Neal Brown.’
Neal Brown was fired in Morgantown back in 2024 and is now the head coach at North Texas
Sumpter did not disclose any health side effects as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine. He now works in film production.
The Daily Mail has sought comment from Brown through the University of North Texas, where he now serves as head football coach, and from WVU Athletics spokespeople.
Back in 2021, when the COVID-19 vaccine was rolling out, the NCAA opted against issuing a firm mandate for student athletes. Instead, the NCAA offered guidance and steered athletes towards inoculation by placing restrictions on those who refused the vaccine. Typically, unvaccinated players and coaches were required to wear masks during practices and meetings.
Schools, athletic departments, programs and coaches had greater leeway to enforce firm mandates on players.
