Kyrie Irving, a star player for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, apologized “deeply” on Saturday for sharing antisemitic content on social media and failing to repudiate antisemitism earlier this month, which led to his team suspending him.
Irving was listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Nets had kept him off the court for the last eight games after he “refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”
On Saturday, he told local sports network SNY that he was not antisemitic and wanted to “set a greater example.”
“I don’t have hate in my heart for the Jewish people or anyone that identifies as a Jew,” he said.
“The difficult aspect is just processing all this, understanding the power of my voice, the influence I have. I am no one’s idol, but I am a human being that wants to make [an] impact and change.”
“I really want to focus on the hurt that I caused,” said Irving. “I just want to apologize deeply for all my actions throughout the time that it’s been since the post was first put up. I’ve had a lot of time to think.”
Nike suspended its relationship with Irvin after he tweeted an antisemitic documentary last month.
