Over the weekend you likely saw the video of a young Tennessee student named Keaton Jones explaining to his mother the heartbreaking details of the bullying he’s faced at school.
Jones tearfully goes through the list of things other kids have done, from physical bullying like pouring milk on him and throwing bread at him to emotional bullying like name-calling and making fun of his appearance and that he has no friends. He pleads for an answer to why the bullies are so mean and why anyone would enjoy being mean to another person.
This is Keaton Jones, he lives in Knoxville and he has a little something to say about bullying.https://t.co/coyQxFp33V
— OutKick Bets (@OutKickBets) December 9, 2017
The video, originally posted to his mom’s Facebook page, spread across the internet over the weekend, as celebrities from around the sports and entertainment world voiced support for the young man and also speaking out against the issue of bullying. Stars from the music, TV, and movie world all took time to voice support for Jones, as did a number of WWE superstars. UFC president Dana White was among the first to reach out on Twitter to try and do something for Jones, and tons of other athletes from across the sports spectrum have done similar things, especially in the state of Tennessee.
In the NBA, Memphis Grizzlies players Mario Chalmers and Chandler Parsons were quick to voice their support for Jones on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/mchalmers15/status/939955528138096640
i’m with you Keaton!! #lesshatemorelove pic.twitter.com/tRBjeBhqTT
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) December 10, 2017
Late Sunday night, the video reached Cavs’ shooting guard J.R. Smith, who was touched by it and posted an invite on his Twitter page to Keaton to come to the next Cavs-Grizzlies game and visit.
That’s a damn shame. Keaton if your around when we play in Memphis i would love to invite you to one of our games. Head up Champ! https://t.co/Moh9ObdgX8
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 11, 2017
LeBron James also joined in voicing support for Jones and speaking out against bullies as “cowards” and supporting Smith’s invite.
Damn right! Bullies are straight up wack, corny, cowards, chumps, etc, etc! Keaton keep your head up buddy and push forward! You're the best https://t.co/pqDgay77l9
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 11, 2017
The Cavs will be in Memphis on Feb. 23 this season, and hopefully, Smith and the Cavs can get in touch with Jones’ family and make the meet up happen. Seeing the outpouring of support from celebrities and sports stars have been incredibly touching to see, and hopefully, the message to stop bullying will continue with Jones’ heartbreaking video as a catalyst.
