-1506390100729-1506390104818.jpg)
Michael Jordan Just Weighed In On The NFL Protests
Sports icon and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan is the latest to continue the very public debate over the NFL's "take a knee" protest. Though Jordan has remained staunchly apolitical in the past — choosing not to endorse North Carolina Democrat Harvey Gantt in his 1990 Senate race, for example, and sharing his famous business maxim, "Republicans buy sneakers too" — the basketball legend has chosen to speak out following President Trump's latest comments.
Jordan gave this statement to the Charlotte Observer:
Michael Jordan's statement on Donald Trump withdrawing the GSW White House visit (via @rick_bonnell & @theobserver) https://t.co/fAi2vEZmke pic.twitter.com/CduPod7tzu
— Aaron Dodson (@aardodson) September 25, 2017
Jordan is the latest to weigh in on the national anthem protests that began with Colin Kaepernick last year. Kaepernick's protest sparked a national debate and earned him what many feel was an intentional blacklisting this season.
The protest has grown to include fellow players, teams, owners, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
FULL #Cowboys team #takesaknee #takeaknee #taketheknee pic.twitter.com/LuacC5SyHv
— Sahil Habibi (@ProgressVoice) September 26, 2017
I am a veteran and I joined and served for freedom NOT TO SUPPRESS IT! I will proudly #TakeAKnee and support our NFL players!
— Chris Wolfe (@Grinning_Coyote) September 26, 2017
We at the ACLU support all those who protest racial injustice, police brutality, and mass incarceration. #dissentispatriotic #TakeAKnee pic.twitter.com/xz5CFBliPB
— ACLU (@ACLU) September 26, 2017
The young people kneeling today are following a long tradition. #TakeAKnee #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/kxZDMfrGF5
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) September 25, 2017
#TakeAKnee Isn’t About The Flag. It’s About America’s #Racism!#BlackLivesMatter #BLM #BlackTwitter #Resist #TheResistance #Justice pic.twitter.com/bwdaOAAyKS
— BLACK AND PROUD (@BAP_US) September 26, 2017
Jordan's statement appears to be a direct response to the explosive comments Donald Trump made during a rally in Alabama on Friday. Trump said NFL owners should respond to any kneeling players by saying “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he's fired. He's fired!"
H/T - Twitter, Charlotte Observer