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LeBron James supports Colin Kaepernick but will stand for anthem

LeBron James

LeBron James will not be joining Colin Kaepernick and others who have chosen to kneel for the national anthem. He did, however, voice his support for what Kaepernick is protesting.

Speaking with media Monday, James said, “standing for the national anthem is something I will do,” per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

“I’m all in favor of anyone athlete or non-athlete being able to express what they believe in in a peaceful manner and that’s exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing and I respect that,” James said.

“I think you guys know when I’m passionate about something I’ll speak up on it, so me standing for the national anthem is something I will do, that’s who I am, that’s what I believe in,” James said. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect and don’t agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing. You have the right to voice your opinion, stand for your opinion and he’s doing it in the most peaceful way I’ve ever seen someone do something.”

Many NFL players have gotten behind Kaepernick. Some choose to kneel with him, such as teammate Eric Reid and Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall. Others have chosen to raise their fist while standing.

Other players see what is happening as an attack against the flag and an insult to military personnel, such as Alex Boone of the Minnesota Vikings.

Regardless of their opinions about how Kaepernick and his supporters have chosen to protest, many agree that change is necessary.

And many, like James, are scared by the continued police violence towards people of color in America.

“You see these videos that continue to come out, it’s a scary-ass situation that if my son calls me and said if he got pulled over, that I’m not that confident that things are gonna go well and my son is going to return home,” James said. “My son just started the sixth grade.”

In light of the recent events around the nation — police shooting African American men on one side of the extreme and violent protests on the other — it’s clear that progress in this arena will not come easily.
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