Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse made it a point to join his players and kneel during the national anthem as a protest against racial and social injustices.
Nurse has said in the past, and recently, how much he was inspired by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was the first athlete to kneel in peaceful protest.
"I saw this, kneeling for the anthem, as a tribute to him," Nurse said Saturday while being interviewed during the Raptors' win over the Los Angeles Lakers. "I think it has nothing to do with borders or flags or anthems or disrespecting anyone, military or governments. It's about attention to systemic racism and police brutality.
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"That's why I wore his shoes tonight. I wanted to honor him."
[RELATED: Dr. Dre kneels with Kaepernick in 'defiant' Instagram post]
Nurse wore a pair of Nike Air Force 1 Colin Kaepernick shoes in honor of the former QB.
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Kaepernick, 32, hasn't played in the NFL since 2016, the same season he began kneeling during the anthem. Athletes in all sports have been inspired by Kaepernick, using their voice more often when it comes to social and racial injustices, and have continued to find ways to peacefully protest.
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