A National Basketball Association play-by-play announcer is out of a job following blowback for a tweet using the phrase “all lives matter.”
Sacramento Kings radio announcer Grant Napear was placed on administrative leave by his station on Monday following a tweet in response to former Kings all-star DeMarcus Cousins, who asked him what he thought about the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me,” Napear tweeted to Cousins on Sunday. “Haven’t heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!”
Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven’t heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! https://t.co/DfzKl3w0jm
— Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) June 1, 2020
Napear, who has called NBA games since 1988, resigned Tuesday afternoon.
“Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings,” the Kings organization announced Tuesday afternoon. “We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”
Napear was also released by Sacramento radio station Sports 1140 KHTK, which said that the “timing” of his tweet was “insensitive” amid the protests and riots that have unfolded following the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, in Minnesota while in police custody.
Sports 1140 has parted ways with Grant Napear as well. https://t.co/8SMUvNvBX5
— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) June 2, 2020
Napear released a statement thanking Kings fans for their support over the years.
“I want to thank the fans for their overwhelming love and support,” Napear said. “I will always remain a part of Kings nation in my heart.”
Following the news of Napear’s controversial tweet, former Kings players Matt Barnes and Chris Webber attacked the radio announcer on Twitter, calling him a racist.
“Would expect nothing less from a closet racists,” Barnes tweeted.
Would expect nothing less from a closet racists
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 1, 2020
“Demarcus we know and have known who grant is,” Webber added. “The team knows as well. I’ve told them many times. They’ve seen it. They know who he is.”
Demarcus we know and have known who grant is. The team knows as well. I’ve told them many times. They’ve seen it. They know who he is. ?? https://t.co/4DI4f1DGUp
— Chris Webber (@realchriswebber) June 1, 2020
Napear said in an interview with the Sacramento Bee that he still has a lot to learn.
“I’m not as educated on BLM as I thought I was,” Napear said. “I had no idea that when I said, ‘All Lives Matter,’ that it was counter to what BLM was trying to get across. I’m in pain. I’m 60 years old, and I still have a lot to learn.”
He also apologized on Twitter for coming across as “dumb.”
“If it came across as dumb I apologize,” he tweeted. “That was not my intent. That’s how I was raised. It has been engrained in me since I can remember. I’ve been doing more listening than talking the past few days. I believe the past few days will change this country for the better!”
If it came across as dumb I apologize. That was not my intent. That’s how I was raised. It has been engrained in me since I can remember. I’ve been doing more listening than talking the past few days. I believe the past few days will change this country for the better! https://t.co/Gsh84BPBEk
— Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) June 1, 2020
Some have argued that the phrase “All Lives Matter” is racist because it allegedly demeans the Black Lives Matter movement.
Several Hollywood celebrities, including actors Ashton Kutcher and Seth Rogen, have used their platforms to criticize those who support the message of “all lives matter.”
