Kyrie Irving wears logo-less shoes in the game against the Hornets
Two days after Nike revealed that Kyrie Irving will no longer be sponsored by the company, the NBA star, Kyrie Irving, took to the floor at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with a statement displayed on his shoes.
During the Brooklyn Nets’ 122-116 triumph against the Charlotte Hornets last night, the baller wore the Nike Kyrie 3 “Raygun” in black, with black tape concealing the Nike logo. Irving had “Logo Here” marked on the left shoe and “I Am Free” and “Thank You God… I Am” on the right.
Nike said a month ago that it had ended its connection with Kyrie Irving and would not release his Kyrie 8 trademark shoes.
Why did Kyrie Irving lose the contract with Nike that made him wear logo-less shoes?
Irving made the changes in response to the public outrage he received after sharing a link to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on social media. He finally apologized after being suspended for at least five games by the Brooklyn Nets.
Irving posted on Instagram in November: “While doing research on YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibility for my actions…..I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this.”
Kyrie continued saying, “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary….I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate.”
