Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan joined the many voices supporting athletes protesting the harsh words and abrupt dismissal of the Golden State Warriors and athletes in the NFL made by Donald Trump over the weekend.
Jordan issued a statement responding to Trump’s decision to uninvite the Warriors from visiting the White House before an official invitation was ever sent, mainly because point guard Stephen Curry said he would “politely decline” an invitation if it came. Trump also criticized currently unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s silent protest of police brutality against people of color, calling him a “son of a bitch” at a rally in Alabama on Friday.
Those two incidents sparked a rash of protests at NFL stadiums on Sunday and a number of reactions from NBA and NFL players online and at press conferences, including LeBron James calling the sitting president a “bum” on Twitter.
The Charlotte Observer asked Jordan for comment about the incidents and published his response in a statement late Sunday, in which Jordan asked for unity throughout the league but also commended athletes who wanted to express their First Amendment rights to free speech.
“One of the fundamental rights this country is founded on was freedom of speech, and we have a long tradition of nonviolent, peaceful protest. Those who exercise the right to peacefully express themselves should not be demonized or ostracized.
“At a time of increasing divisiveness and hate in this country, we should be looking for ways to work together and support each other and not create more division.
“I support Commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA, its players and all those who wish to exercise their right to free speech.”
Jordan was a different kind of superstar in a different time than someone much more socially aware and, consequently, divisive, than someone like LeBron James. But even His Airness seems to understand the severity of the comments Trump has made over the last few days. His statement isn’t divisive as much as it is supportive of his league, his players, and the state of protest many in the sports world have put themselves in recent days.
