President Obama says he appreciates when sports stars voice their opinions on popular social issues.
“You know, I think LeBron did the right thing,” Obama told People magazine two days after Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James wore an “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt instead of his warmups during the team’s Dec. 8 game versus the Brooklyn Nets.
The shirt, which represents Eric Garner’s last words before death at the hands of a police officer chokehold, has been worn by other NBA stars such as the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose and the Portland Trailblazers’ Damian Lillard.
“We forget the role that Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe and Bill Russell played in raising consciousness,” the president said. “We went through a long stretch there where [with] well-paid athletes the notion was: Just be quiet and get your endorsements and don’t make waves.”
“LeBron is an example of a young man who has, in his own way and in a respectful way, tried to say, ‘I’m part of this society, too’ and focus attention,” Obama added.
The president said he would also like to see more athletes make a social stand.
“Not just around this issue, but around a range of issues,” Obama said.
Last week, Attorney General Eric Holder also voiced his support for the NBA athletes who had worn the “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt.
“And it’s all about our democracy, and who we are as a country that our celebrities, our athletic celebrities, can use their status to express I think what I call a social and political point. I think that’s a good thing,” Holder said.
