For the last few days, the NBA superstar Kyrie Irving ignited a new row over social media that nearly divided the country into two. His antisemitic tweet and statements refusing to acknowledge his mistakes took no time for the fans worldwide to roast him. Especially the celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Shannon Sharpe were few on the top criticizing the star guard.
While the Broncos legend Shannon Sharpe demanded real accountability from Kyrie Irving, fans called out the NFL veteran for escalating the issue too much.
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Because the Nets guard had already issued a public apology after drawing immense pressure from the team management and fans worldwide. “I don’t believe Kyrie is right. Now what?” Sharpe asked one of the fans who asked the veteran to stand in unity with an NBA star who allegedly didn’t do anything wrong according to the netizens.
Sharpe time and again refused to justify Irving’s comments.
You can hitch your wagon to AB, Kyrie and Kanye. I can not and will not https://t.co/E8jy0vWJyg
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 4, 2022
I caused division? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/54k6UYv7m6
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 4, 2022
However, few others claimed that Sharpe was following the script, but he refused to acknowledge such theories.
Fox has never given me a script, but I’m never going to go along with someone just because of skin color. https://t.co/ZylUET8pzI
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 4, 2022
You agree with Kyrie and Kayne? I don’t. Are selling out? https://t.co/LTAxLb2Teg
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 4, 2022
I didn’t force Kyrie to put that link to his page and IF* he’s not sorry. Say that and keep it moving. https://t.co/ZD5nHxl9MQ
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 3, 2022
Sharpe stood adamant in his opinion.
Hopefully, the issue is expected to mitigate in the coming days as Irving issued a public apology on behalf of the team and extended support to all the Jewish community who were hurt by his comments.
Shannon Sharpe reacts to Irving’s public apology
With this incident, Irving would have clearly understood the importance of the choice of words. One wrong tweet cost him half his fortune, with popular brands like NIKE cutting ties with the NBA star. Moreover, his refusal to apologize in front of the media happened to affect his ongoing season.
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He got suspended for at least five games after the Nets owner publicly disapproved of his player for antisemitic comments. Soon Irving issued an apology via Instagram with a long note expressing his feelings. Sharpe happened to be the first person to appreciate the move and asked the veteran to be careful in the future.
“I’m so glad, so happy that he came to his senses. Or someone around him had the better judgment to say ‘This is the right thing to do!’” Sharpe said on his popular show.
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“I’m hopeful that Kyrie has learned his lesson. The suspension is only 5 games, and he comes back, and he plays basketball. They’ve been losing, but he’s been playing phenomenal basketball.” he added. It will be interesting to see how others react to the ongoing situation inside the Nets’ locker room. What do you think about Shannon’s views?
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