Jonathan Isaacs was the lone player standing for the National Anthem – and the only player not wearing a “Black Lives Matter” shirt – on Friday before playing the Brooklyn Nets.
Isaac’s white jersey stuck out among the black shirts as he stood in front of the large screen displaying the anthem’s singer.
Nets and Magic players and staff show solidarity during Friday’s National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/DMmFOZl61T
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 31, 2020
The Orlando Magics player explained in a press brief why he chose to stand and why he chose to wear his jersey, saying that he doesn’t believe “putting that shirt on and kneeling went hand-in-hand with supporting Black lives.”
“For me Black lives are supported through the gospel. All lives are supported through the gospel,” he said. “We all have things that we do wrong and sometimes it gets to a place that we’re pointing fingers at who’s wrong is worst. Or who’s wrong is seen, so I feel like the Bible tells us that we all fall short of God’s glory. That will help bring us closer together and get past skin color. And get past anything that’s on the surface and doesn’t really get into the hearts or men and women.”
His actions garnered support and opposition from Twitter users.
Conscience of a Black Conservative host Keith Lee said:
“This is the Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaacs. He refused to bend the knee for the mob. God Bless Him!”
This is the Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaacs. He refused to bend the knee for the mob. God Bless Him!#AllLivesMatter #AllLivesMattter #courage #jonathanisaac #maga #trump2020 #BLEXIT2020 #BLEXIT pic.twitter.com/TOT4yja9fx
— Keith Lee (@therealkeithlee) August 1, 2020
Another Twitter user said:
“I didn’t think anyone was dumb enough to stand during the anthem in the NBA, but Jonathan Isaacs had to be *that* dude. Smh”
I didn’t think anyone was dumb enough to stand during the anthem in the NBA, but Jonathan Isaacs had to be *that* dude. Smh
— Hendeaux (@Henry2Live) July 31, 2020
Good for him, God loves all lives, we should too. If you or any member of the BLM following disagrees with this they are not disagreeing with you or me, they are disagreeing with God which is dangerous.