Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James on Friday fired back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic and vowed to never stay silent about social causes after he was criticized by the AC Milan forward for sticking his nose into politics.
Ibrahimovic in an interview on Thursday said sportspeople like four-time NBA champion James, who has been one of the NBA's leading voices against racial injustice and police brutality, should avoid making the mistake of getting involved in political matters and instead focus on only sports.
"I'm kind of the wrong guy to actually go at, because I do my homework," said LeBron James following criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic for speaking out about political issues. https://t.co/BBGOGT3B4Y
— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) February 27, 2021
"I will never shut up about things that are wrong. I preach about my people and I preach about equality, social justice, racism, voter suppression -- things that go on in our community," James told reporters after the Lakers' 102-93 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
"I'll use my platform to continue to shed light on everything that's going on around this country and around the world. There's no way I would ever just stick to sports, because I understand how powerful this platform and my voice is."
James also pointed to comments made by Ibrahimovic in 2018 when the Swedish forward claimed "undercover racism" had caused the media to treat him differently from players that had traditional surnames like Andersson or Svensson.
"He's the guy who said in Sweden, he was talking about the same things, because his last name wasn't a (traditional Swedish) last name, he felt like there was some racism going on," James said.
"I speak from a very educated mind. I'm kind of the wrong guy to actually go at, because I do my homework."
Latest Stories
-
Hopeson Adorye to form ‘Jail Them’ advocacy group
42 mins -
Shatta Wale once cried and knelt to apologise to Mahama – Dr Lawrence Tetteh
49 mins -
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting photo ID
49 mins -
Nigeria soldiers face trial for deadly air strike ‘mistake’
58 mins -
Akufo-Addo, Otumfuo to commission Kumasi International Airport on May 10
60 mins -
PWDs who gain admission into tertiary institutions will be prioritised with government scholarships – Bawumia
1 hour -
Strongman regrets involving Fella Makafui in Medikal feud
1 hour -
NPP must unite now or perish later – Ameyaw-Akumfi warns
1 hour -
Fuel price adjustment: petrol surges to GH₵15.22, diesel falls to GH₵14.65
1 hour -
Kojo Golden nominated for Afrobeat Artiste of the Year at Ghana Music Awards USA
1 hour -
Ford Foundation partners foster collaborative solutions for host Community Development Trusts implementation in Nigeria
2 hours -
Appiatse reconstruction: Support Bawumia to do more for Ghana – Richard Ahiagbah to Ghanaians
2 hours -
I wanted Harry Kane at Man United – Ten Hag
2 hours -
Ayorkumi: Stage play on slave trade premieres on May 11
2 hours -
Majority defends GRA-SML deal, insists no wrong was done
2 hours