While he appreciates Colin Kaepernick’s civil rights protest, LeBron James will not join it.
The Cavaliers superstar weighed in on the hot-button issue Monday at Cleveland’s media day, as seen in a video posted by Cleveland.com’s Hayden Grove.
“I’m all in favor of anyone — athlete or not an athlete — being able to express what they believe in in a peaceful manner, and that’s exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing, and I respect that,” James said. “I think you guys know when I’m passionate about something I speak upon it.
Me standing for the national anthem is something I will do. That’s who I am. That’s what I believe in, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect and don’t agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing. You have the right to voice your opinion, stand for your opinion — and he’s doing it in the most peaceful way I’ve seen someone do something.
What I don’t like about the situation is the negative attention that’s been thrown upon him from certain people, because it’s not deserved.”
James’ view on the topic is not only relevant because he’s one of the top two most influential players in the NBA — along with the Warriors’ Stephen Curry, who also came out in support of Kaepernick.
It’s also interesting since James has worn famous Black Lives Matter mantra “I can’t breathe” shirts in warmups and was one of four players to deliver an impassioned speech at the ESPYs.
