Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has offered an apology and given clarification to an anti-police photoshopped image that he posted to social media earlier this week.
‼️✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/WU6AEKuDa0
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 29, 2020
“I want to first apologize for reposting something that didn’t clearly and accurately convey what I wanted to share. My post was intended to focus on the bad cops who get away with the murder of unarmed Black men and women, and those who continue to harass peaceful BLACK LIVES MATTER protestors,” Morant said.
It’s rumored that NBA players will be allowed to customize the name on their jerseys when the season resumes July 30.
The image in question featured Morant wearing a Grizzlies jersey with his name replaced with an expletive “–ck” and the number 12.
“–ck 12” is widely used as an anti-police term.
“I know there are good cops “12” out there. I know some, and a few are family. I am thankful to the cops at Murray State who took care of me and the cops who continue to watch over me with the Grizzlies. We NEED good cops to step up and make sure other cops are not abusing their power,” the presumptive Rookie of the Year continued on to say.
“There have been too many Black lives taken by police that could have been prevented. You may see me as just a basketball player and I may lose fans for taking a stand, but I won’t stay silent. BLACK LIVES MATTER!! Where’s the justice for Breonna Taylor?? And the other countless innocent Black lives that have been taken at the hands of dirty cops with no convictions?”