Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler recently revealed he will wear a blank jersey in the NBA restart in Orlando. Now, it seems Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown might follow suit.
Brown said on Sunday he is still struggling to decide what he will put on the back of his jersey. According to the Celtics youngster, it is hard for him to “epitomize all the feelings and emotions and all the things you're passionate about into one word…”
Jaylen Brown is still deciding what to put on the back of his jersey. "It's kind of tough to epitomize all the feelings and emotions and all the things you're passionate about into one word, especially on the list we were given."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) July 19, 2020
Per Jared Weiss of The Athletic, Brown also said he is considering rocking a blank nameplate, in effect making a statement for “unnamed victims of prejudice.”
Brown says that he is thinking not just those who are victims of police brutality that have been in the news, but the idea of having an empty space where his name would be, citing Jimmy Butler for inspiration, allows him to play for the millions of unnamed victims of prejudice.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) July 19, 2020
The 23-year-old Celtics swingman was one of a number of players who criticized the NBA's list of allowed social justice messages.
Fortunately, the NBPA is currently working to ensure players have the opportunity to make more targeted statements. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the NBPA is partnering with Russell Westbrook's clothing line to develop shirts with messages such as “Systemic Racism,” “I Can't Breathe,” “No Justice No Peace” and a host of others.
Sources: Message options for new NBPA/Russell Westbrook lifestyle shirts: Systemic Racism, Police Reform, I Can’t Breathe, No Justice No Peace, Break the Cycle, Strange Fruit, By Any Means, Power to the People, Equality, Am I Next? https://t.co/N5uXh7Ss9L
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2020
Jaylen Brown has been an active voice in combating racial inequalities following the death of George Floyd in May. He drove all the way to Atlanta (Brown is a Georgia native) to lead protests.
Jaylen Brown drove 15 hours from Boston to Atlanta to lead a protest. 👏#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/aamRHNdvPR
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 30, 2020
Brown also ended his press conference with Celtics reporters on Sunday by addressing the death of Breonna Taylor, highlighting that people are taking issue with the “establishment” as much as individual police officers.
Jaylen Brown ends presser with statement on Breonna Taylor case: "A lot of people’s problem is not just with the officers, but with the establishment…and what they are being told to do."
Notes that Louisville took important step eliminating no-knock warrants, but more to do.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) July 19, 2020
The NBPA had discussions about how best to remain active and vocal in leading the charge for social justice once the restart begins.
Brown and others are making their best efforts to make sure these issues are still at the forefront with play scheduled to resume in just under two weeks.
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