Fox News host Laura Ingraham ranted Thursday on live television about comments made by NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant during an Uninterrupted “Rolling with the Champions” episode with Cari Champion.
Ingraham was particularly angry with James’ comments, which included him saying that President Donald Trump “doesn’t give a fuck about the people.” The Fox News host then went on a rant telling James and Durant to “shut up and dribble.”
'Shut up and dribble' — Fox News's Laura Ingraham to LeBron and Kevin Durant after their criticism of President Trump pic.twitter.com/0BlokQDIIl
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 16, 2018
All right, we’re gonna create a new banner: “This is a dumb jock alert.” NBA superstar Lebron James is talking politics again and this time it’s R-rated. Here’s his barely intelligible — not to mention ungrammatical — take on President Trump in a new ESPN podcast.
…I’m numb to this commentary, “like.” Must they run their mouths like that? Unfortunately, a lot of kids and some adults take these ignorant comments seriously. Look, there might be a cautionary lesson in LeBron for kids. This is what happens when you attempt to leave high school a year early to join the NBA. And it’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball. Oh, and LeBron and Kevin, you’re great players, but no one voted for you. Millions elected Trump to be their coach. So keep the political commentary to yourself, or as someone once said, shut up and dribble.
Ingraham’s comments quickly drew plenty of response from the sports world, with Dwyane Wade and Chris Long among the athletes calling her out.
Well, now James and Durant have responded as well.
James posted a #wewillnotshutupandribble hashtag on Twitter and Instagram on Friday night, with the Instagram post including a photo with neon lights saying, “I am more than an athlete.”
#wewillnotshutupanddribble https://t.co/LyenGRKTUE
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 17, 2018
And Durant responded earlier on Friday evening, telling USA Today’s Sam Amick that Ingraham’s comments were “racist.”
While Ingraham would later put out a statement claiming there was “no racial intent” behind her words, Durant simply doesn’t agree.
“To me, it was racist,” he said while shaking his head.
Q: So how did her comments hit you when you first heard them?
A: “It didn’t hit me. Ignorance is something I try to ignore. That was definitely an ignorant comment. I do play basketball, but I am a civilian and I am a citizen of the United States, so my voice is just as loud as hers, I think – or even louder. I can’t focus on that. I think we’re doing some good things out here, using our platform, and I think what me and LeBron did with Uber (and UNINTERRUPTED) the other day when it came out, I thought it was great. I thought a lot of people enjoyed it.
With all of the NBA stars and so many media members in Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend, there is sure to be much more response to Ingraham’s comments.
UPDATE: LeBron spoke to the media about Ingraham’s comments on Saturday and said, “We will definitely not shut up and dribble.”
He referred to Ingraham as “whatever her name is.”
LeBron made his first public comments since Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized him for speaking out. pic.twitter.com/0lLn4zwxAn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 17, 2018
“Thank you, whatever her name is. …
"I appreciate her for giving me even more awareness, at the best weekend of the NBA."
LeBron James at All-Star media day responding back to the Fox News host who told him to "shut up and dribble." pic.twitter.com/7E1wGUAlri
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 17, 2018
Additionally, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that he’s “incredibly proud” of James and Durant speaking up on social issues.
“Let me begin by saying I’m incredible proud of our players for using the platform they have.”
Commissioner Adam Silver addresses recent “shut up and dribble” comments aimed at @NBA players. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/4MuBzxpT7F
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 18, 2018
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