LeBron James: "The People Run This Country."

Nick Pachelli
Updated
Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

From Esquire

Lebron James spoke out today at the Cavaliers 2018 Media Day after the President Trump fiasco that transpired over the weekend. In case you missed it, peaceful protests took place at football games around the country after Trump called the players who kneel during the anthem “sons of bitches,” and implored NFL owners to "fire or suspend" those athletes. Trump also rescinded an already declined White House invite to NBA star Steph Curry. He was then called a “Bum” by James, and Trump's subsequent comments further sparked the ire of the sporting world.

"It’s powerful what all these athletes are doing," James said today. "It's not about the disrespect of our flag and the military that’s made this world free. It's about equality."

James went on to say that Trump’s comments over the weekend "frustrated me."

"He used the sports platform to divide us. Sports is so amazing, what sports can do for everyone, no matter shape, size, or race... And it brings people together like none other. I'm not going to let one individual no matter the power, no matter the impact he or she should have, ever use sport as a platform to divide us."

You probably won’t see James taking a knee when the Cavaliers start the NBA regular season in a couple weeks. He said he keeps his attention directed toward his work speaking out and educating youth on the ground in Ohio.

"Personally, my voice is more important than my knee," he said.

As for his thoughts on the former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who’s still being blackballed by the NFL owners, James said he wishes he could hire Kaepernick.

"I salute Colin for being as powerful as he was," James said. "I wish I owned an NFL team right now. I’d sign him today."

James isn’t alone in standing by Kaepernick. Piling on to the on-field protests were team owners like once Trump-pal Robert Kraft. Rep. John Lewis tweeted this powerful image from the Civil Rights movement:

Eric Reid, the first 49er to join Kaepernick in taking a knee last season, penned an op-ed for the New York Times today, where he spoke about the inflammatory divisiveness of Trump and his feelings on the weekend's protest.

"And it’s disheartening and infuriating that President Trump has referred to us with slurs but the neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Va., as “very fine people.” His remarks are a clear attempt to deepen the rift that we’ve tried so hard to mend.


I am nevertheless encouraged to see my colleagues and other public figures respond to the president’s remarks with solidarity with us. It is paramount that we take control of the story behind our movement, which is that we seek equality for all Americans, no matter their race or gender."

Reid and James were joined by an army of fellow NBA players past and present, as well as coaches, who made their voices heard over the last three days.

Michael Jordan shared why he thought players shouldn’t be demonized.

[editoriallinks id='ccd784fa-1ca6-4f3f-9085-39b3e5651018'][/editoriallinks]

Chris Paul thought there might be more important matters for the President to be weighing in on.


John Wall implored white quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers to speak up.

Kobe did Kobe.


JJ Reddick of the 76ers spoke to how ubiquitous anti-Trumpism is nowadays. (It’s not though. Sorry, JJ).


Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expressed how thrilling it is to be an American in the wake of a Trump rant.


But fair to say Warriors coach Steve Kerr won the weekend.

You Might Also Like