Source: The Undefeated
Kobe Bryant Says He Would Have Kneeled During the Anthem if He Was Playing
Source: The Undefeated
Kobe says he would be down for the cause
Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant wasn't the most politically active player during his NBA career. However, the times were different in the '90s and aughts; no NBA player was very politically active.
So what would happen if Kobe played in the climate we're in now?
It's an interestingquestion. Jemele Hill, of The Undefeated, asked Kobe about it during a recent interview. Specifically, she asked Kobe if he would protest during the anthem, even though NBA commissioner Adam Silver asked players not to.
WATCH:Kendrick Lamar and Kobe Bryant Discuss Staying Inspired and Keeping Momentum on Their Side
Bryant said he would:
"Yeah, I would have participated in it, for sure...I'm sure I would have gotten some flak for it. That's fine. I think that Colin's message was a very simple one. It was police brutality needs to stop; we need to take a look at thatI think we understand this is a free country. I think we have the right to peaceful protest. And by the way, from my point of view, that's what the flag represents as well: the ability to speak. The ability to voice your opinion. And everybody is entitled to that. So everybody getting up in arms about it, they're certainly in their right to do that, as we're certainly in our right to protestpeacefully at that."
READ: NBA Encourages its Players to Be More Politically Aware
Kobe was also confident that his teammates wouldn't have had a problem with it either.
Bryant said:
"From my experience in the locker room, it doesnt seem like any of the players that I played with certainly would have had an issue with that. I think we understand this is a free country. I think we have the right to peaceful protest. And by the way, from my point of view, thats what the flag represents as well. The ability to speak. The ability to voice your opinion. And everybody is entitled to that. So everybody getting up in arms about it, theyre certainly in their right to do that, as were certainly in our right to protestpeacefully, at that.
Watch the entire clip below.
Kobe Bryant on national anthem protests. #DearBlackAthlete pic.twitter.com/zHNrAuTRW3
The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) February 12, 2018
Source: The Undefeated