Kyrie Irving clears the air in aftermath of antisemitic row: “I was not put here on earth to… incite racial disharmony/prejudice”
Suspended Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving has broken his silence following his recent meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai.
Irving met with Tsai to prove he wasn’t antisemitic following his sharing of the link to an antisemitic film on Twitter on Oct. 27. He had previously failed to offer what Tsai and the Nets considered to be a genuine apology, which led to his minimum five-game suspension.
However, Irving and Tsai’s recent meeting was described as productive, which led many to believe Irving could soon return to the team. If his recent tweet is any indication, he is on a pathway that could lead to his reinstatement.
On Sunday, Irving tweeted out a message of peace regarding his views on all religious groups and political parties. He wrote:
“I was not put here on earth to participate in any religious/political wars or incite racial disharmony/prejudice within communities. We are all equal under the sun and I am here to participate in the building of an Equal world and follow the Word from the Most High/GOD/YAH.”
I was not put here on earth to participate in any religious/political wars or incite racial disharmony/prejudice within communities. We are all equal under the sun and I am here to participate in the building of an Equal world and follow the Word from the Most High/GOD/YAH.
🤞🏾♾
At this point, it is unclear what more Kyrie Irving has to do to be able to return to the Nets. Last week, it was reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic that Irving needs to fulfill six requirements to return to the team. The requirements are as follows:
- Apologize and condemn the film he promoted
- Make a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes
- Complete sensitivity training
- Complete antisemitism training
- Meet with the ADL and Jewish leaders
- Meet with team owner Joe Tsai to demonstrate an understanding of the situation.
Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
- Apologize/condemn movie
- $500K donation to anti-hate causes
- Sensitivity training
- Antisemitic training
- Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders
- Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
It’s clear Irving has already attempted to do at least a couple of these things. Joe Tsai has already tweeted a statement saying that he and his wife Clara do not believe Irving to be antisemitic.
“Clara and I met with Kyrie and his family yesterday. We spent quality time to understand each other and it’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group,” Tsai tweeted.
Clara and I met with Kyrie and his family yesterday. We spent quality time to understand each other and it’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group.
Tsai also tweeted that the Nets and Irving are working towards healing wounds caused by the incident.
“The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education,” Tsai tweeted.
The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education.
However, on Saturday night, Tsai told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that Irving still has work to do.
“He still has work to do. He has to show people that he’s sorry. What’s important — and what people miss — is he only apologized after he was suspended,” Tsai said.
Asked #Nets owner Joe Tsai if Kyrie Irving would be back on this road trip: "He still has work to do." #NBA
It remains to be seen what else Kyrie Irving will need to do to prove he is truly sorry for his actions.
Jacque Vaughn on Kyrie Irving’s potential return date
The Brooklyn Nets’ 116-103 loss to the LA Lakers on Sunday was the sixth straight game Kyrie Irving missed due to suspension. Nets coach Jacque Vaughn was recently asked if he had any updates regarding Irving’s potential return date and seemed just as uncertain as everyone else.
“I have no update on timetables at all,” Vaughn said.
However, Vaughn added that he was pleased to see Joe Tsai’s statement reassuring fans that Irving was not antisemitic:
“The good thing is Joe put out that statement yesterday. It shows where the collaboration and alignment is right now.”
Brooklyn has gone 4-2 in Kyrie Irving's absence. The Nets will continue their road trip on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings. They will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday before returning home for a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Also read: Dave Chapelle addresses the Kyrie Irving anti-semitism incident: "Kyrie Irving's black a** was nowhere near the holocaust"