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Boston Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Dragged For Making Down Syndrome Joke About Raptors’ Scottie Barnes

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is making headlines for the second time this season (following his painted hairline fiasco) after he made an off-color comment about Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes. During a live stream, Brown said that Barnes has “extra chromosome strength.”

Saying someone has an “extra chromosome” is to imply that they have Down syndrome, as that is the biological condition that causes it — Down syndrome typically occurs when there is extra genetic material from chromosome 21, leading to three copies instead of the usual two.

Furthermore, saying that someone has “extra chromosome strength” plays into a stereotype about the condition and is essentially a diet version of the derogatory phrase “r—– strength.”

Nevertheless, not only did Jaylen Brown make the comments about Barnes but he did so during a live stream, which is an inherently attention-seeking platform.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown dragged for saying that Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes has “extra chromosome strength”

The reaction to Brown’s comments were largely angry, with many pointing out how performative Brown has been over the years with his alleged intellectualism, and how this suggests this exact opposite.

“If this was MPJ or any other regular player I kinda wouldn’t care but this coming from the supposed ‘most intelligent player in the league’ is pretty disappointing,” one NBA fan tweeted.

“’Certified genius’ but he’s publicly making fun of disabilities nice, way to alienate any of your fans with a disability,” another added.

“This is not funny. Grown a– and more educated than most Jaylen Brown saying this is really disappointing,” a third concurred.

“Trying to make someone else the butt of the joke after his paint by numbers hairline got exposed,” a fourth chimed in, referencing Brown’s painted-on hairline rubbing off on other players this season.

Due to the injury that fellow Celtics franchise player Jayson Tatum suffered during the playoffs last year, Brown is the C’s primary offensive weapon this season and is averaging 29.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game so far this season.

After a rocky start to the season, the Celtics have steadied the ship and currently sit in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with a 15-9 record.