Irving apologizes 'deeply' for post: 'I'm not anti-Semitic'
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 20.11.22. | 11:50
In an exclusive interview with SportsNet New York Irving made his most direct public comments
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving said Saturday he wants to "apologize deeply" for social media links to a film with anti-Semitic ideas, the NBA guard declaring, "I'm not anti-Semitic." In an exclusive interview with SportsNet New York (SNY) released Saturday, Irving made his most direct public comments regarding the posts he made linking to the 2018 film "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" and the uproar they caused.
Kyrie Irving has apologized. pic.twitter.com/ErfYKz7zIT
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) November 19, 2022
"I just really want to focus on the hurt that I caused or the impact that I made within the Jewish community, putting some type of threat, or assumed threat, on the Jewish community. I just want to apologize deeply for all my actions for the time that it has been since the post was first put up. I've had a lot of time to think, but my focus initially, if I could do it over, would be to heal and repair a lot of my close relationships with my Jewish relatives, brothers and sisters" Irving told SNY.
His lack of an apology earlier this month when speaking with reporters prompted the Nets to impose a minimum five-game suspension upon Irving until he took several steps to apologize and make amends for the harmful impact of his actions -- a ban that has lasted for eight games. Apparel giant Nike also "suspended" its relationship with the NBA star, cancelling the release of the Kyrie 8 shoe expected in November. Irving said he felt disrespected in the moment by even the question he might be anti-semitic and reacted defensively.
"I know I could have handled that better. I did not mean to send any hurt or threats or impact or harm to the Jewish community. I should have just answered the questions and just moved on. To the outside world, it may have been seen as a simple yes or no, which rightfully so it should have been, no I'm not anti-semitic. But it wasn't (clear) in that initial conversation. I take my accountability and I want to apologize for that. Please. It came off the wrong way" Irving said.
After the release of his interview, Irving was listed as questionable for the Nets' game against Memphis on Sunday.
"I'm not anti-semitic. I never have been. I don't have hate in my heart for the Jewish people or anyone that identifies as a Jew. I'm not anti-Jewish or any of that. I think the difficult aspect is just processing all this, understanding the power of my voice, the influence I have" Irving told SNY.
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