Michael Jordan: Peaceful Self-Expression 'Should Not Be Demonized Or Ostracized'

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 25, 2017 7:22PM

Michael Jordan / Getty Images / Photo: Gregory Shamus

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, once preceded (fairly or not) by his apolitical image, said on Sunday that peaceful self-expression "should not be demonized or ostracized."

Jordan gave the opinion in a statement to the Charlotte Observer after the paper asked him about President Donald Trump's decision to rescind a White House invitation for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, after star player said he would vote against a visit.

Jordan said via the paper, "One of the fundamental rights this country is founded on was freedom of speech, and we have a long tradition of nonviolent, peaceful protest. Those who exercise the right to peacefully express themselves should not be demonized or ostracized."

He added:

"At a time of increasing divisiveness and hate in this country, we should be looking for ways to work together and support each other and not create more division.

"I support Commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA, its players and all those who wish to exercise their right to free speech."

That may not qualify as a public taking of the knee, but it's significant from a figure who had long been criticized for being apolitical. (He was once infamously quoted as saying "Republicans buy sneakers, too," though questions linger about the quote's legitimacy.) Jordan last year also said he was "deeply troubled" by police-related violence and said the Charlotte Hornets, of which he is principal owner, "are opposed to discrimination in any form" in the wake of North Carolina's House Bill 2 controversy.

This all of course happened against the backdrop of Trump's renewed condemnation against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out. He’s fired. He’s fired!’” Trump said at a rally in Alabama on Friday. He then doubled down on his comments on Sunday on Twitter.

Many NFL players locked arms, kneeled or both, and several raised fists amid Trump's comments on Sunday, otherwise known as The Day "Stick to Sports" Officially Died.