Magic's Jonathan Isaac stands for national anthem as teammates, opponents kneel
He's been the lone player to stand for the anthem
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player to stand for the National Anthem as the league resumed play after a 20-week hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The television broadcast showed Isaac, who is Black, standing as players and coaches from both teams, as well as referees, took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem. The 22-year-old forward was also the only player seen not wearing a "Black Lives Matter" shirt.
Isaac can be seen wearing his Magic game jersey instead.
He explained his position on Friday ahead of the game versus the Brooklyn Nets, saying that he doesn't think "putting that shirt on and kneeling went hand-in-hand with supporting Black lives."
"For me Black lives are supported through the gospel. All lives are supported through the gospel," he said. "We all have things that we do wrong and sometimes it gets to a place that we're pointing fingers at who's wrong is worst. Or who's wrong is seen, so I feel like the Bible tells us that we all fall short of God's glory. That will help bring us closer together and get past skin color. And get past anything that's on the surface and doesn't really get into the hearts or men and women."
Social media observers questioned why he chose to abstain from the league-wide protest.
2 comments:
I admire the man's courage but one patriotic American in a sea of traitors does not make me want to watch NBA games.
No, this is what simple respect looks like. Courage requires one to do what is genuinely right. If he was courageous he would not play in the National Chinaball Association.
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