Colin Kaepernick writes emotional letter to LeBron James after NBA meeting walk-off: 'Thanks for staying true'
Colin Kaepernick sent a handwritten letter to LeBron James, appreciating him for speaking out against racial injustice in the aftermath of the NBA walk-offs earlier this week. James took the decision to boycott the games as a form of protest, following the police shooting of unarmed Black man Jacob Blake. The Los Angeles Lakers star is reportedly in favor of canceling the rest of the 2019-2020 season.
On Saturday, August 29, James posted a photo of a letter that he received from Kaepernick, the African-American football player who has always been vocal on the issues of race. Kaepernick's letter read: "Four years ago on August 14, 2016, I began protesting against systemic racism and social injustice. Truth is what I sought. Solidarity is what you showed me. Love is what moves us forward. Thank you for staying true." James captioned his photo of the letter: "Standing/kneeling right next to you brother! Appreciate you."
In 2016, Kaepernick was playing NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, when he began kneeling during the National Anthem as a show of protest against systemic racism.
His actions made Donald Trump angry, who had not yet been elected president.
Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers had indicated that they weren't in favor of being part of the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season according to a tweet by The Athletic's Shams Charania. It read: "Sources: The Lakers and Clippers have voted to boycott the NBA season. Most other teams voted to continue. LeBron James has exited the meeting."
Sources: The Lakers and Clippers have voted to boycott the NBA season. Most other teams voted to continue. LeBron James has exited the meeting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
According to a CBS Sports report, the call came after a meeting was held by players on late Wednesday, August 26, night. However, other teams maintained they would continue to play. LeBron James reportedly led both his team and the Clippers out.
This isn't the first time James made an impact. During the Los Angeles vs Portland Timbers' soccer match, James and his team made a major statement. Riffing off the MAGA red hat theme, James and other Lakers wore a red-colored hat that read, "Make America Great Again arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor." Apart from this, James also wore a t-shirt with the words "By Any Means" printed on it. He later posted a picture with the 'MAGA' hat on Instagram with the caption, "By Any Means Let's Get It #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor."
This led to a volley of reactions from his fans. One user commended the initiative and said, "NOW THIS IS HOW YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM FOR POSITIVE CHANGE," and another one said, "I love everything you represent and how you use your platform #inspiration." Some even said that he is the "Greatest of all times" as one user commented, "GOAT."
Breonna Taylor was a 26-year-old African American EMT (emergency medical technician) who was shot dead by Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove on March 13, 2020. She was killed at her own house after LMPD officers entered her residence as part of an investigation related to narcotics.