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LEBRON JAMES BASKETBALL:-
LeBron James will not have any social justice message on the back of his jersey he said it doesn’t “resonate with his mission.”
James said in a conference call on Saturday ahead of the Lakers’ first practice session “I actually didn’t go with a name on the back of my jersey,” since the season was suspended March 11. “It was no disrespect to the list that was handed out to all the players. I commend everyone that decided to put something on the back of their jersey. It’s just something that didn’t really seriously resonate with my mission, with my goal.”
The majority of NBA players have decided to pick a social justice message once the NBA season resumes in Orlando, Florida.
James is one of just about 17 players out of 285 so far who will continue to use their family names on the back of his jersey.
The list of messages which was agreed by the players union and NBA owners, includes “I Can’t Breathe,” which is what George Floyd said more than 20 times before he died with a white police officer kneeling on his neck.
James added that he wishes he could’ve chosen a statement to wear instead of being restricted to the 29 messages that that the NBA and NBPA recently approved, including: Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Equality; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor.
James further added, “I would have loved to have the say-so on what would have gone on the back of my jersey,”. “I had a couple of things in mind. But I wasn’t part of that process, which is okay. I’m absolutely okay with that.”
James has used his enormous fan following which is over 114 million combined followers on Twitter and Instagram to speak out and raise his voice against racial injustices.
In 2012, James helped spearhead his then-Miami Heat to wear hoodies in honor and tribute to Trayvon Martin, who was killed by George Zimmerman. James wore a T-shirt that said “I Can’t Breathe,” which were Eric Garner’s final words before he died after being placed in a chokehold by a police officer in New York. James has also raised his voice and spoken openly against the deaths of Michael Brown, Aavielle Wakefield, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, among others.
He’s also taken solid action to create change and raise his voice against social injustice.
James said he will continue to support and raise his voice fighting against racism.
James said “Everything that I do has a purpose, has a meaning,” “I don’t need to have something on the back of my jersey for people to understand my mission or know what I’m about and what I’m here to do. But I commend everybody and I respect everybody that decided to put something on the back of their jersey. I think that’s great.”
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