Los Angeles Lakers superstar and three-time NBA champion LeBron James, reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and former NBA player Stephen Jackson are among the sports figures who have offered public reactions to the death of George Floyd, a Minnesota man who died in police custody on May 25.
James twice posted about the incident on Instagram and mentioned former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who generated both scorn and support for kneeling during renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner to protest racial injustices.
Jackson, who referred to Floyd, a personal friend, as "twin," shared multiple social-media posts honoring Floyd and demanding justice.
Jones, arguably the most gifted and talented fighter in UFC history, likened the technique that a police officer used to subdue Floyd to a mixed martial arts choke when speaking with TMZ Sports.
"Anyone who has practiced the very basics of jujitsu recognizes a [blood choke] when they see this. That was as clear as day murder, torture.
"I wouldn't wish the way George Floyd was murdered on my worst enemy. That officer applied just enough pressure to keep him alive for almost six minutes in that chokehold.
"In all my years of fighting I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything close to that level of torture."
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called Floyd's death "murder:"
This is murder. Disgusting. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with US???? https://t.co/wesEwd4Bb2
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) May 26, 2020
As noted by TMZ and other outlets, the four officers involved in the Floyd incident were fired.
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