Boxing Hall of Fame legend Floyd Mayweather has gone against the grain and thrown his support behind embattled Brooklyn Nets basketball player Kyrie Irving.
While many Black people, including those who claim to be friends of Irving, are spurning support for the basketball player because of this latest antisemitism controversy, one figure is standing with him.
In a TikTok post captured
and reposted by a Twitter user, Mayweather filmed a video clip directed to Irving.“Kyrie, what’s up? I know you’re going through a lot. We had a chance to hang out in 2016 when you represented America [in the Olympics]. When you represented the Red, White, and Blue. You only wanted to be treated fair. I was going to
post something on one of my social media pages, but I decided to do it the old-school way, and read it out to you because you’re a great person, a great father, a great athlete, and you believe what you believe,” Mayweather said in part.According to a report by Shams Charania, senior lead NBA Insider for The Athletic and Stadium, the Brooklyn Nets organization has laid some ground rules for Irving to be able to
return to the basketball court.After apologizing, the team requires Irving to offer another apology and condemn the film Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America! Although he pledged to donate $500,000 to anti-hate organizations and causes, this is now a requirement from the Brooklyn Nets. He must also complete sensitivity training and antisemitic training. Along with that, Irving must also meet with the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish leaders. The last step he has to take is meeting with team owner, Joe Tsai, to “demonstrate understanding.”