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Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player to stand during the national anthem before a game while inside the Orlando bubble.
On Monday afternoon members of both the Nets and the Magic kneeled during the anthem in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Nets and Magic players and staff show solidarity during Friday’s National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/DMmFOZl61T
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 31, 2020
Isaac was the only person who chose to stand while also not wearing a Black Lives Matter-related shirt.
Everyone on the #Magic and #Nets are kneeling for the national anthem. Except Jonathan Isaac. No judgment, how one chooses to protest and observe the anthem is their own choice. But I believe Isaac is the only player who has chosen to stand.
— Orlando Magic Daily (@OMagicDaily) July 31, 2020
Jonathan Isaac is the first player during the restart to stand for the National Anthem.
All the remaining coaches, players, and members of both teams took a knee. pic.twitter.com/i2yy8qCPn3
— Top Ball Coverage (@TopBallCoverage) July 31, 2020
Jonathan Isaac chose to stand for the National Anthem without a BLM shirt
(h/t @TopBallCoverage ) pic.twitter.com/WSevfbolxl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 31, 2020
Update: Isaac cited the gospel and religion as the reason why he chose not to kneel.
Magic' Jonathan Isaac on why he didn't kneel or wear a BLM shirt "Kneeling or wearing a Black Lives matter t-shirt didn't go hand in hand with supporting Black Lives….I believe that my life has been supported through the Gospel, everyone is made in the image of God" pic.twitter.com/o8JoqvApch
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 31, 2020
Magic Jonathan Isaac "I don't think kneeling or putting on a t-shirt for me personally is the answer…for me Black Lives are supported through the gospel, all lives are supported through the gospel" pic.twitter.com/mw8Y85B7TV
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 31, 2020
“Absolutely [I believe] that Black lives matter,” Isaac said. “A lot went into my decision and part of it is my thought that kneeling or wearing a black lives matter t-shirt don’t go hand in hand with supporting black lives.”
“My life has been supported by the gospel of Jesus Christ,” “Everyone is made in the image of God and we all share in His glory. Each and everyone of us each and every day do things we shouldn’t do. We say things we shouldn’t say. We hate and dislike people that we shouldn’t hate and dislike. And sometimes it gets to the point where we point fingers about whose evil is worse, and sometimes it comes down to simply whose evil is most visible. I felt like I wanted just take a stand on — I felt like we all make mistakes but I think the gospel of Jesus Christ is that there’s grace for us. And that Jesus came and died for our sins. And that we all will come to an understanding of that and that God wants to have a relationship with us.”