I can appreciate the intent of this article - seemingly just to give you whatever thought process may develop.
I thought it was such an interesting situation when Simmons hit the team with Covid, because at the time it was believed his production would be mostly irreplaceable. If he were to infect everyone at a time that we were still trying to contend (and his production was this bad), I think he'd be gone (trying to convey a hypothetical, hope it worked).
On a serious note, I think it's ridiculous to say that athletes (or anyone) can't have an opinion and voice it like the rest of us (even though Simmons opinion here, and that of others of similar mind, is absolutely bat**** and dangerous).
Get your dang vaccine and stop endangering others with selfishness (goes for everyone, seriously!)