Grizzlies' Ja Morant apologizes for anti-police social media post
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant took to Twitter late Sunday night to apologize for reposting an image that showed him wearing an anti-police "F--- 12" jersey.
Per The Athletic's Shams Charania and other outlets, the NBA may allow players to replace their names on jerseys with social justice statements when the season resumes play amid the coronavirus pandemic on July 30.
English Premier League footballers sported kits with "Black Lives Matter" in place of their names this month following the killing of George Floyd.
Morant shared the altered image across multiple platforms on Sunday and wrote "want dat on my jersey fr." He later apologized:
"I want to first apologize for reposting something that didn't clearly and accurately convey what I wanted to share. My post was intended to focus on the bad cops who get away with the murder of unarmed Black men and women, and those who continue to harass peaceful BLACK LIVES MATTER protestors.
"I know there are good cops '12' out there. I know some, and a few are family. I am thankful to the cops at Murray State who took care of me and the cops who continue to watch over me with the Grizzlies. We NEED good cops to step up and make sure other cops are not abusing their power.
"There have been too many Black lives taken by police that could have been prevented. You may see me as just a basketball player and I may lose fans for taking a stand, but I won't stay silent.
"BLACK LIVES MATTER!! Where's the justice for Breonna Taylor?? And the other countless innocent Black lives that have been taken at the hands of dirty cops with no convictions?"
The uncrowned NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 17.6 points and 6.9 assists across 59 games when the NBA halted play on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Grizzlies retweeted Morant's apology.
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