The hot topic of the day Monday was athletes protesting the national anthem after President Donald Trump criticized those who had done so in the past.
At their media day Monday, members of the Milwaukee Bucks spoke about the topic, including team leaders Malcolm Brogdon and Jabari Parker.
“I think that’s a discussion we’re going to have to have,” Brogdon said. “Whatever we do we’re going to have to do it as one. But today is media day, we’ve got to take this thing in strides and that will definitely be a discussion we have in the future.”
Parker said he wasn’t surprised by the NFL’s response due to what he called a “lack of change.”
“It’s been a lot of bad going on within the oppression of colored folks and minorities and it just all boils down to compassion. And that’s what a lot of people lack in our country is compassion for our people’s story,” Parker said. “And when you feel a chance to have compassion for another or empathy for another person and put yourself in their shoes, that pretty much makes the place a better place. Until then, we’re not going to make any progress.”
NBA star LeBron James also offered his comments on the situation, telling ESPN he was frustrated with Trump, “using the sports platform to divide us.”
"First of all, I salute the NFL, the coaches, the players, the owners, the fans. Everyone who had any association with the NFL was unbelievable," James told ESPN. "There was no divide. Even from that guy that continues to try to divide us as people.”
