Criticized by Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his social and political commitments, LeBron James defended himself on Saturday, explaining that there was no reason his impact in society could not be as strong as that which he has on the sports fields.
"I'm not really the type of guy to come and attack (in terms of commitments), because I do what it takes," said the four-time NBA champion after the victory of the Los Angeles Lakers (102- 93) against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
James was responding to Ibrahimovic who, at the start of the week, had estimated that athletes should "stay out" of politics.
The AC Milan striker then named James by name, asking him to stop his activism.
“LeBron James is phenomenal at what he does.
But I don't like it when people with a certain status are in politics at the same time, ”the footballer said in an interview with UEFA for Discovery + in Sweden.
“I don't play politics.
.... This is the first mistake people make when they get famous and gain a certain status.
Stay out of it.
Just do what you do best.
The rest does not seem good to me, ”added the former Paris SG scorer.
“For a long time, we heard that as athletes we should be grateful to be able to throw a ball, dribble a ball, hit with a baseball bat.”
LeBron James
But for James, as an athlete, it's not enough to win titles - it's equally rewarding to inspire and empower people, as well as bringing Americans together.
“At the end of the day, I would never shut up about the things that were wrong.
I am committed to my people and I preach for equality, social injustice, racism, equality in terms of access to the vote.
All the things that have to do with what's going on in our community, ”said the NBA superstar.
“There is no question that I am content to play sports.
I know how powerful my voice is, he continued.
For a long time, we heard that as athletes, we should be thankful that we can throw a ball, dribble a ball, hit with a baseball bat.
We were told that we were neither able nor authorized to talk about anything else.
This is no longer the case today.
And that will not be the case for a long time ”hammered James, very involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.
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