*LeBron James spoke to the press today following Sunday’s protests around the NFL after President Trump called for the NFL to “fire or suspend” those who kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“He used the sports platform to divide us,” James told reporters. “Sports is so amazing, what sports can do for everyone, no matter shape, size, race; brings people together like no other. I’m not going to let one individual no matter the power, the impact he or she should have ever use sport as a platform to divide us,” he said. “The people run this country, not one person. And damn sure not him.”
And while James hasn’t considered taking a knee when the NBA’s regular season starts up again in a couple of weeks, he said he will continue to speak out and educate the people of Ohio.
“I’m doing OK for myself, my family is doing OK,” he said. “Even if we weren’t doing OK financially, I’d still be trying to find a way to inspire the youth. … Personally, my voice is more important than my knee.”
But James didn’t take anything away from the movement that former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started last pre-season, when he was the first to take a knee during the national anthem. In fact, he wishes he could hire Kaepernick.
“I salute Colin for being as powerful as he was,” he said. “I wish I owned an NFL team right now. I’d sign him today.”
Referring to Trump as “that guy,” James went on to say that those who voted for him made a mistake.
“If you voted for him or not, you may have made a mistake, and that’s okay.”
“If you voted for him, it’s okay. I mean I’ve done things for my kids and realized I shouldn’t have given my daughter that many damn Skittles. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. She won’t go to sleep now.”
Watch below, followed by the full press conference:
Watch LeBron’s entire presser below:
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