Ben Simmons threw his support behind an Australian teenager who caused a media firestorm by smashing an egg on the head of a controversial politician, and the Philadelphia 76ers is not about to back down over his stance on what’s happening in his home country.
Simmons, who was born and raised in Melbourne, responded to a tweet Wednesday criticizing his support of a young man now known globally as “Egg Boy,” whose actions over the weekend have been both hailed and condemned.
Will Connolly, 17, broke an egg on the head of polarizing Australian senator Fraser Anning, who ignited a firestorm with inflammatory remarks concerning last week’s mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Simmons’ original demonstration of support for Connolly that is causing the stir was how the Sixers star wrote “Egg Boy” on his yellow sneakers before Tuesday’s game.
Simmons generally is not as outspoken when compared to many of his fellow NBA players — although he’s been known to make a provocative statement from time to time — but clearly felt the need to speak up regarding the controversy playing out back home in Australia.
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