LeBron James took a knee as did every NBA player in the season re-opening doubleheader last night. The Lakers star and all the other players on the court took a knee during the anthem before the second game.
This came after every player on the Jazz and Pelicans kneeled during the anthem of the first game Thursday.
Over at the National Hockey league, the opposite was happening. During the National Anthem, every hockey player for Boston and Columbus stood up for the National Anthem.
From USA Today:
As he knelt down and locked arms during the national anthem Thursday night, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James did not just protest systemic racism. He also wanted to send a message to former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“I hope we made Kaep proud. I hope we continue to make Kaep proud every single day. I hope I make him proud with how I live my life, not only on the basketball floor but off the floor,” James said after the Lakers’ 103-101 win over the Clippers Thursday.
“I’ve been one to always speak out about things that I feel like is unjust. If I’m educated on things, I always go about it that way. So Kaep was someone who stood up when times weren’t comfortable, and people didn’t understand or refused to listen to what he was saying.”
Four years ago, Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. But he received immediate backlash amid charges that he was disrespecting the flag and the military by performing a peaceful protest during the national anthem.
“It had absolutely nothing to do about the flag, had absolutely nothing to do about the soldiers, the men and women that keep our land free,” James said.
“He explained that and the ears were uncomfortable. People never listened. They refused to listen and I did.”
James may have listened, but he did not immediately follow through with Kaepernick’s actions.
When some NFL players followed Kaepernick’s gesture in 2017, James resisted. The reason?
James told reporters, “my voice and what I do in my community is more powerful than getting on a knee.”
I haven’t watched hockey since NHL 94 on Sega Genesis. Might have to give it a second look… https://t.co/rkKGkOY3BT
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) July 31, 2020
All players, coaches and refs take a knee and lock arms during the national anthem before the Lakers-Clippers game. pic.twitter.com/eZ9RHE3eh7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 31, 2020
