Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is voicing his support for former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. While answering questions at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte on Saturday, "King James" said:
“I stand with Kaep. I kneel with Kaep. I’m happy to see the news that he won his suit. I hope it’s a hell of a lot of money.”
LeBron has supported Kaepernick for the bulk if the signal caller's protest. Once wearing an all-black Kaepernick jersey. LBJ has never actually kneeled before during an anthem at an NBA game but he did wear a "I Can't Breathe" t-shirt in pregame warmups to support Eric Garner, a man who died after a confrontation with a New York Police Department officer.
James hasn't been shy about his politics and has used his HBO series 'The Shop' to voice his opinions on several hot button issues.
LeBron's ex-teammate, friend, three-time NBA champion, Dwyane Wade also voiced his support for Kaep when asked at the All-Star media availability.
Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid both reached a settlement with the NFL for an undisclosed amount of money on Friday to end their grievances of collusion. Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice in 2016, and has not played a down of football since Week 17 of that season. Reid played 13 games for the Carolina Panthers last season and signed a three-year extension this offseason.
Kaepenick's attorney tells CNN the QB "absolutely wants to play again and can reveal "nothing" about the settlement.