LeBron James took a stand on racial issues once again Monday night, but this time he wasn’t alone.
The Cleveland Cavaliers forward donned a black T-shirt with the quote, “I can’t breathe” prior to tip-off between the Cavs and Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center.
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Kevin Garnett, Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams, Jarrett Jack and Alan Anderson also wore the shirts in warmups.
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“I can’t breathe” were the final words uttered by Eric Garner in July, who died after a New York City police officer put him in a chokehold while detaining him. The confrontation was recorded on video and sparked protests across the country.
Derrick Rose wore a similar shirt prior to a Chicago Bulls game Saturday.
James told the New York Daily News on Monday that he thought Rose’s gesture was “spectacular”, and that he was trying get one of his own shirts. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Jack sent the shirts to James and Irving before Monday’s game.
“We’re in the city where a tragedy happened,” Irving said, via the Akron Beacon Journal. “It’s really important to us that we stand up for a cause, especially this one. It hits kind of close to home and it means a lot to me. … What happened is a tragedy, and I feel terrible about it.”
Thumbnail photo via Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports Images
