NBA star, Lebron James, has disclosed he will not put on any of the approved social justice slogans because they do not resonate with his goals. As the league resumes, James has served notice he will maintain just his name at the back of his jersey.
James told ESPN, “It was 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.”
“I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey. I had a couple [of] things in mind, but I wasn’t part of that process, which is OK. I’m absolutely OK with that. … 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,” he added.
James, who currently plays for the LA Lakers, has been vocal as Black Lives Matter protests spread across the United States following the death of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd.
Together with the players union, the NBA came up with a list of slogans players could put on the back of their jerseys ahead of the league.
So far, 285 out of 350 players have confirmed using the slogans on their jerseys, while 17 had opted to continue to use their names, ESPN reported.
“I didn’t know what to decide. Should I have a social justice message or should I have my last name there? I just think my last name is something important to me, ” Anthony Davis, James’ mate said.
Below are the terms players could put on the back of their jerseys.
- 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
- Mentor
