Colin Kaepernick has fans everywhere as NBA star Chris Paul proclaimed his support for him. Colin Kaepernick’s plight has not gone unseen by the NBA world.
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Kaepernick’s activism has inspired people across the world, and it’s no surprise that Chris Paul, one of the most vocal players in the NBA, is one of them. Paul highlighted the ongoing social justice movement in a discussion on CITIZEN on CNN. Here is the full discussion.
Colin Kaepernick’s Fight Against Social Injustice
We all know the story of Kaepernick kneeling and how it effectively got him blackballed from the league. However, his fight didn’t end there and it didn’t end with the NFL. Kaepernick’s goal was first and foremost to raise awareness and create consciousness in the eyes of the Americans.
As a result of his actions, Kaepernick has inspired others. The NBA world has always looked to Kaepernick as a role-model.
“We support our brother Colin Kaepernick,” Chris Paul said. “There is a whole entire community of us that know we’re more than just athletes.”
Also read: Colin Kaepernick: Will Colin Kaepernick Make An NFL Comeback in 2020?
Chris Paul Admires LeBron James’ Leadership
“I think it all just came to a head and guys started really communicating and started realizing that you don’t have to just shut up and dribble,” the NBA all-star added, from The Philadelphia Tribune.
The “shut up and dribble” comment is a clear reference to LeBron James. Journalist Lara Ingraham told LeBron James to “shut up and dribble” after LeBron said this in an interview with ESPN in 2018:
“The No. 1 job in America, the appointed person is someone who doesn’t understand the people,”
He also added that some of the president’s comments are “laughable and scary.”
Her exact words:
“It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball,” she said. “Keep the political comments to yourselves. … Shut up and dribble.”
The Importance of Colin Kaepernick’s Movement And Chris Paul’s Support
As the fight against social injustice rages on, Paul recognized the importance of having these conversations.
“Players are woke, they’re aware, they know what’s going on. We just have to continue these conversations,”
With the platform that modern athletes have, players are beginning to feel more and more empowered that they can drive change and make a difference. League Commissioner Adam Silver has also expressed his support for the movement.
“I’m not naive; I understand that people see this as politics. To me, there’s a long through-line of social justice that’s been part of this league since its earliest days,” Silver told CNN, via The Philadelphia Tribune.
The push for change will continue and athletes like Chris Paul, Colin Kaepernick, and LeBron James will continue to be vocal in these matters. After all, they are more than just athletes.
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