(RightWing.org) – NBA star LeBron James has dropped himself in hot water after being disrespectful during the national anthem. James arrived at a college football game to watch his son play — but when he walked into the stadium the anthem was playing. The usual protocol is to remain standing until it finishes. Now fans want to know why James just sat down.
James Ignores Protocol
On December 10, James, a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA franchise, went to LA’s Galen Center to watch his son Bronny play his first game for the University of Southern California Trojans. Bronny who’s 19, won a scholarship to USC this summer and signed for the college’s basketball team, but his career hit an early problem when he went into cardiac arrest during a practice session in July. He quickly returned to training, though, and on Sunday he was finally ready to take to the court. It’s natural that his proud father would want to be there to see him.
Unfortunately, James Senior chose to make an undignified entrance. Entering the venue once the national anthem had already started, he headed straight for his courtside seat. Then, instead of remaining standing in the traditional show of respect, he shocked fans by just sitting down.
A Political Player
James has never made a secret of his politics. As well as playing basketball he’s also a prominent activist for left-wing causes. He’s spoken out on controversial shootings in the US, and on foreign policy issues like the civil war in Sudan’s Darfur region. He was openly hostile to former president Donald Trump. He donated $20,000 to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016.
He’s also supported China’s ruling communist party in its crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong and sparked controversy in 2021 when he posted a photo of the police officer who shot 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant as she tried to stab another girl, with the caption “YOU’RE NEXT.”
One of James’s political positions people are now linking to his disrespect for the national anthem is his support for former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the “take a knee” movement when he knelt during the national anthem in 2016. He accused the NFL of “blackballing” Kaepernick and said he’d hire him himself if he owned a football team.
Was his failure to stand during the anthem a similar protest against the US? Or was it simple rudeness? One thing’s for sure; fans aren’t happy. James is now being blasted on social media for sitting down too early.
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