When issuing his apology, the professional basketball player tells reporters, 'I feel it was necessary for me to stand in this place and take accountability for my actions because there was a way I should have handled all of this.'
- Nov 21, 2022
AceShowbiz - Kyrie Irving has been cleared from his suspension. The seven-time NBA All-Star, who had been suspended indefinitely on November 3, will continue to play for the Brooklyn Nets after issuing an apology over his anti-Semitic controversy.
The 30-year-old, who is expected to play at Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, told reporters, "I meant no harm to any person, any group of people." He added, "I don't stand for anything close to hate speech, or anti-Semitism, or anything that is anti going against the human race."
"I feel it was necessary for me to stand in this place and take accountability for my actions because there was a way I should have handled all of this," he added. "This is a big moment for me because I'm able to learn throughout this process that the power of my voice is very strong."
"The influence that I have within my community is very strong. And I want to be responsible for that," the athlete continued. "In order to do that, we have to admit when you were wrong and instances where you hurt people and it impacts them."
The Nets itself declared, "Kyrie took ownership of his journey and had conversations with several members of the Jewish community." The basketball team further noted, "We are pleased that he is going about the process in a meaningful way."
Kyrie came under fire after tweeting a link to the "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" documentary, a movie that is said to promote anti-Semitism, on October 27 via Twitter. He, however, initially defended himself after being slammed by Nets owner Joe Tsai.
"Out of all the judgment that people got out of me posting, without talking to me, I respect what Joe said, but there has a lot to do with not ego or pride with how proud I am be African heritage but also to be living as a free black man here in America knowing the historical complexities for me to get here," he said at that time.
"So I'm not going to stand down on anything I believe in," the professional basketball player further emphasized. "I'm only going to get stronger because I'm not alone. I have a whole army around me."
