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Charles Barkley is defending those who don’t want to kneel during the national anthem.
Before Thursday night’s game between the Pelicans and the Jazz, every member of both teams decided to kneel before the anthem to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Pelicans & Jazz players & coaches line up in “Black Lives Matter” t-shirts before NBA bubble opener pic.twitter.com/FXEOfuPkPJ
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 30, 2020
Every single person on the court takes a knee before the national anthem in protest of racial injustice. pic.twitter.com/xRjGt7PvG9
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) July 30, 2020
After the NBA players’ display, Barkley wanted to make sure to say that if players decide they don’t want to kneel they shouldn’t be vilified by fans or the media for it.
Charles Barkley on anthem kneeling "If people don't kneel they're not a bad person" pic.twitter.com/qeZfjHTUZ4
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 30, 2020
The national anthem means different things to different people. I’m glad these guys are all unified but if people don’t kneel they’re not a bad person. I want to make that perfectly clear, I’m glad they have unity, but if we have a guy who doesn’t want to kneel because the anthem means something to him he should not be vilified.
I firmly stand by what Charles Barkley just said.. if you choose not to kneel for the national anthem, you are NOT a bad person and you should NOT get vilified.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) July 30, 2020