ESPN sideline reporter announces she will miss 2021 season after declining vaccine

For the past decade, Allison Williams has been part of ESPN’s college football coverage. However, she’s not going to be working the sidelines this fall.

On Thursday, Williams shared that she has decided to not cover games during the 2021 season. Her reasoning is that she has opted not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and that she and her husband are trying to have a second child.

Williams issued a statement while announcing her decision on Twitter:

This will be the first fall in the last 15 years I won’t be on the sidelines for College Football.
My heart hurts posting this but I’m at peace with my decision. pic.twitter.com/np5V3gdrfW

— Allison Williams (@AllisonW_Sports) September 9, 2021

Williams joined ESPN in March 2011, and she’s since contributed to its coverage of both college football and college basketball. Initially, she was part of Friday night football broadcasts, but she moved to Saturday coverage in 2016.

Williams has typically been part of the ABC/ESPN broadcasting crew that features play-by-play man Bob Wischusen and analyst Dan Orlovsky.

It’s unclear when Williams may return to the network, but perhaps she’ll be providing later updates.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.