Michael Jordan defended professional athletes who take a knee during the national anthem and who speak out against President Trump after Trump called on NFL team owners to fire any player who kneels.
“One of the fundamental rights this country is founded on was freedom of speech, and we have a long tradition of nonviolent, peaceful protest,” Jordan said in a statement to the Charlotte Observer on Sunday. “Those who exercise the right to peacefully express themselves should not be demonized or ostracized. At a time of increasing divisiveness and hate in this country, we should be looking for ways to work together and support each other and not create more division.”
Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Hornets, was responding to a question from the Charlotte Observer about a tweet from Trump in which he withdrew an invitation for the Golden State Warriors to visit the White House.
“I support [NBA] Commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA, its players and all those who wish to exercise their right to free speech,” Jordan said.
Trump set off a firestorm over the weekend after he criticized NFL players for kneeling during the National Anthem during a rally for Sen. Luther Strange in Alabama on Friday. During the event, the president said team owners should fire any player who disrespects the American flag.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He is fired. He’s fired!'” Trump said.
The president continued tweeting against the NFL and players who kneel throughout the weekend, which led many players, coaches and team owners to issue statements condemning Trump’s comments.
During Sunday’s games, many players kneeled or locked arms when the National Anthem was played. Some teams refused to take the field, waiting instead until the national anthem was over to emerge from the locker room.
In addition to criticizing the NFL, Trump also took aim at the Warriors’ Stephen Curry, who said he would not attend an upcoming ceremony at the White House honoring his team’s NBA championship win.
Curry’s statement led Trump to rescind his invitation to Golden State.
