NBA star LeBron James questioned reporters on Wednesday about a photo of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during a 1957 racial desegregation protest.
The black-and-white photo shows 14-year-old Jones peering over as a swarm of White students tried to block six Black pupils from entering North Little Rock High School in 1957.
James asked before the Lakers’ 128-109 win against the Trail Blazers, “One question.”
“I was wondering on my way here why you folks haven’t asked about the Jerry Jones photo, but you were quick to ask about Kyrie [Irving].”
Irving was banished for eight games last month for tweeting a link to an antisemitic documentary.
Irving, 30, has apologised many times and returned to court on November 20.
‘Everyday’
Lebron compared the 1957 photo to Irving’s tweet: “It seems like it’s been buried.”
James: “We’re talking about my folks and what we’ve been through, and that Jerry Jones shot is one of those moments”
As a Black man, an athlete, and someone with authority and a platform, when we do something wrong, it’s on every tabloid, every news coverage, and the bottom ticker. It’s daily.
“That entire Jerry Jones scenario photo – I realise it was years ago and we all make errors, I get it,” James said. We…move on.
Jones told reporters he was a curious kid and didn’t realise how significant the incident was.
“I didn’t know what was happening,” Jones told ESPN.
“I’m glad that’s far away. I am. That reminds me to do everything we can to prevent such incidents.
CNN has contacted the Cowboys and Lakers for comment.
Prosocial
James remarked in November that Irving’s actions hurt many individuals. He apologised today or yesterday. He did damage.
“I don’t care what colour your skin is, how tall you are, or what position you have if you promote or solicit negative things to any community that injure others. I disapprove.”
James was originally a Dallas Cowboys fan, but he recently said he switched to the Cleveland Browns when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insisted players stand for the national anthem while others protested social and racial injustice.
James said this on Instagram Live alongside his longtime buddy and business partner Maverick Carter.
“Their front office and organisation said, ‘If you do that, you’ll never play for us again.’ I thought that was inappropriate.”
Jones told reporters in 2018: “Our policy is toe on the line”
James has always been outspoken about social justice and co-founded “More Than a Vote” to resist racial voter suppression.
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