Ravens legend extends his support to Kyrie Irving amid antisemitism scandal
Former Ravens legend Ed Reed seems to be in Kyrie Irving's corner. If you are not up to speed on the events involving the NBA superstar, he showed support for an antisemetic film and was bashed online and just about everywhere else for it.
Amid the backlash, the Brooklyn Nets suspended Irving for five games and has reportedly had no contact with him. There are even rumors circulating that the basketballer may even retire.
In what is now a deleted tweet, former Ravens star Ed Reed seemed to back Irving. Reed took to Twitter to post about Irving's current situation.
Reed wrote:
“These boys making business decisions, not worried about the people! I STAND WITH #KyrieIrving we are Harmed everyday! Stop acting as if BLACK folk are not treated worst than any. All the attn (apologies) PROVES it #CarryOn."
Reed's apparent siding with Kyrie Irving naturally didn't go down well at all, and that has many thinking the backlash was the reason for the tweet being deleted.
The fallout from Kyrie Irving's post
The Brooklyn Net posted a link via his social media channels for an antisemitic film. The backlash was fierce, as many expect. The 30-year-old did not apologize until a week later.
I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.
But the damage was already done. Nike suspended its contract with him, and the Nets suspended him for, at least ,five games (although listed as indefinite).
When Irving did "apologize," it seemed to make it worse. He said at a news conference via The New York Times:
“History is not supposed to be hidden from anybody. ’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in. I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone. I have a whole army around me.”
Kyrie Irving has informed the Nets he plans to retire. https://t.co/K18XAs7qf6
A few days later, Kyrie Irving, along with the Nets, donated $500,000 toward anti-hate causes. He also issued a statement saying that he did not believe everything that was said in the film that he tweeted a link to.
There have been reports that Kyrie Irving might even retire. This is a must-watch space as we could have seen the last of Irving in the NBA.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The New York Post and H/T Sportskeeda.