Derrick Rose caused a stir on Saturday night by wearing a shirt during warmups before the Bulls-Warriors game that read “I CAN’T BREATHE,” a reference to the recent non-indictment of the New York City police officer involved in the choking death of Eric Garner.
Rose isn’t normally one to make political statements, but he let his feelings about the situation be known on Saturday, and LeBron James applauded him for it.
From Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:On Sunday prior to practice he was asked about Rose’s protest gesture.
“It’s spectacular,” James said. “I loved it. I’m looking for one.”
When asked if he planned to wear the T-shirt before a game, James was coy, but hinted it could potentially happen.
“It’s possible,” he said. “I’m looking for one. I think it was great.”
James has been more outspoken about these issues than Rose has in the past. In 2012, James and his Miami Heat teammates posed for a group photo wearing hoodies in honor of Trayvon Martin.
Professional athletes have a huge platform to speak out on social and political issues and influence people, and it’s encouraging to see the most prominent superstars use it.