LeBron James supports NASCAR's only black driver Bubba Wallace, calls Talladega noose incident 'sickening'
LeBron James came out in support of fellow African-American and NASCAR's only black driver Bubba Wallace after it was reported that a noose had been found in his garage at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama.
"Sickening!" LeBron James wrote on Twitter, addressing the incident. "@BubbaWallace my brother! Know you don’t stand alone! I’m right here with you as well as every other athlete. I just want to continue to say how proud I am of you for continuing to take a stand for change here in America and sports! @NASCAR I salute you as well!"
NASCAR had confirmed in a statement that a noose had been found in the garage stall of Wallace's team, and they were "angry and outraged" at the "heinous act" before promising action against those responsible.
"We have launched an immediate investigation, and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport," NASCAR said. "As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all."
Fox News reported that around 5,000 tickets had been issued to fans for the race but that only team members, track staff and media were allowed in the garage area due to the safety precautions put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
While Wallace is believed to have not seen the noose himself, he released a lengthy statement where he said he was "incredibly saddened" by the incident. "Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry, including other drivers and team members in the garage," he wrote.
"Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone. Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate. As my mother told me today, 'they are just trying to scare you.' This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in."
Wallace has been at the forefront of the protest against police brutality and racial inequality that has consumed the country following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd. He had hit headlines two weeks ago when his call for NASCAR to ban the Confederate Flag from being displayed at its events and tracks was accepted.
The move wasn't met well in some quarters, with several vehicles sporting the flag spotted outside the Talladega Superspeedway before the race. Fans also hired a plane to fly overhead with a message reading, "Defund NASCAR."
Wallace himself admitted his father told him he was worried for his safety after he called for the ban, but that he would not back down. He then had his car painted with #BlackLivesMattter on the side and "compassion, love, understanding" on the tail and hood before the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
James had lauded Wallace for the move while criticizing part-time Truck Series driver Ray Ciccarelli, who had criticized the ban on the flags and said he would be retiring from the sport.