Lebron won’t wear message on jersey
WASHINGTON • One of the NBA’S most prominent voices in social activism will not be wearing any messages on his jersey when the league resumes play in Orlando on July 30.
Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James has been outspoken over the years about the need for racial equality in the United States but explained in a video conference Saturday that he has other ways he’d like to express his objectives.
“I actually didn’t go with a name on the back of my jersey,” James told reporters. “It’s no disrespect to the list that was handed out to all the players. I commend anyone that decides 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.”
Lakers teammate Anthony Davis will join James in passing on placing a social justice message on the back of his jersey as well, Yahoo Sports reported Sunday.
To resume its season and impact its fan base in the middle of a social awakening, the NBA brainstormed multiple ideas. The league is set to have “Black Lives Matter” painted on the sidelines of its courts and will reportedly give players the option to add one of 29 different social- justice messages to replace their surname on the back of their jerseys.
James said he had no input on the latter concept.
“I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey,” James said. “I had a couple things in mind but I wasn’t part of that process, which is OK. I’m absolutely OK with that ... Everything that I do has a purpose, has a meaning so 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.”
Another issue surrounding the NBA’S restart is the rise of novel coronavirus cases around the country, especially in Florida, which has played host to fanless events for WWE and MLS. Dozens of wrestling superstars have reportedly tested positive for the virus while two teams have already backed out of MLS’S tournament, which began Wednesday. MLS postponed Sunday morning’s match between D.C. United and Toronto FC about half an hour before it was set to start because one D. C. player tested positive and a Toronto player had an inconclusive test.
Multiple NBA players have already opted out of rejoining their teams because of the pandemic. Despite the risks associated with the virus and the nation’s current social unrest, James said he never considered sitting out the league’s return.
“It never crossed my mind that we did not need to play this beautiful game of basketball that brings so many people together, that brings happiness, that brings joy,” James said. “I’m happy to have a platform where not only people will gain joy for the way I play the game, by the way our team plays the game, but for also what I’m able to do off the floor as well.”
For James, resuming play is a chance to continue his efforts fighting systemic racism.
“Being able to use my platform, use the NBA’S platform, to continue to talk about what’s going on,” James said. “Because I will not stop until I see real change for us as Black America, for African Americans, for people of colour. And I also believe I can do both, though. I can bring happiness to a lot of homes with the way I play the game and the way the Lakers is going to play the game and I will continue to push the envelope and continue to keep my foot on the gas on creating real change for us as people of colour in America.”