Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James offered his support Monday to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others who continue to protest during the national anthem.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 26, 2016
LeBron did, however, confirm he won't kneel while "The Star-Spangled Banner" plays before games, per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin: "Me standing for the national anthem is something I will do. ... But that doesn't mean I don't respect [Kaepernick]."
James added being a father has given him a different perspective on police violence, per McMenamin:
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 26, 2016
While other athletes sometimes shy away from taking sides on important issues, the four-time MVP has shown a willingness to speak his mind on hot-button topics.
In March 2012, he and his Miami Heat teammates wore hooded sweatshirts following the shooting of Trayvon Martin:
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 23, 2012
After Eric Garner died at the hands of New York police in 2014, James was among the NBA players who wore an "I Can't Breathe" shirt during pregame warm-ups.
At the 2016 ESPYs, James joined Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade in a call for police reform and an end to gun violence throughout the country. ABC News shared a replay of their speech:
— ABC News (@ABC) July 14, 2016
"I believe in order for us to ultimately be as great as we can be as a nation that all of us have to go back into our communities and lend our hand," James said at a charity event in August, per McMenamin. "It starts brick by brick. It starts person by person. Family by family. Kid by kid."
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