Kyrie Irving Apologizes After Suspension From The Brooklyn Nets For Promoting Anti-Semitic Documentary

Kyrie Irving has issued an apology for promoting a controversial "anti-Semitic" documentary after being suspended from his active player position in the Brooklyn Nets. The pro-basketballer was suspended after repeatedly refusing to clarify his stance on anti-semitism and apologize for the controversial social media post.

In his lengthy statement, Irving explained that he never intended to push hate or disrespect against the Jewish community and said he's learning and growing from this "unfortunate event." Irving's team confirmed his suspension in a statement, saying they'd tried repeatedly to help him understand the anti-Semitism in his posts and had failed.

The team's statement explained that Irving's behavior was deeply disturbing and against the organization's values. They added that Irving would become an active player again after satisfying some objective remedial measures to address his conduct. Irving had previously tweeted that he meant no offense with his tweet, calling himself an "Omnist."

Read on to find out more.

Following Irving's suspension from the Brooklyn Nets, the pro-basketballer has apologized to the Jewish community for his anti-semitic post, saying he's "deeply sorry." Irving posted the statement on his Instagram and said he takes "full accountability and responsibly for my actions."

Irving also said he's grateful for his huge platform and wants to "move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this." Irving wrote, "To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected by my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize."

The basketballer also claimed that he was clarifying his stance on Anti-semitism with the apology and is sorry for "posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with."

Irving appealed for forgiveness from his fans, saying that he has learned from the controversy and recent events and hopes they can "find understanding between us all." He concluded the statement with, "I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am."

Irving's apology comes not long after the Brooklyn Nets announced that the basketball player had been suspended without pay due to his anti-Semitic controversy. It all began when Irving made a Twitter post about the 2018 film "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America," which is considered anti-Semitic.

The statement from Brooklyn Nets revealed that the team had tried severally to work with Irving and help him understand how his post was harmful, all to no avail. They wrote, "We believed that taking the path of education in this challenging situation would be the right one and thought that we had made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance."

https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets/status/1588320399409827840?s=20&t=t0UStpmjpYskLjXAqixqdw

However, Irving's stubbornness led to his suspension, which will last for at least five games. They wrote that the player refused to "unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film," which wouldn't be the first time Irving has refused to clarify. Such behavior, according to the statement, contradicts the team's values.

The statement concluded by clarifying that the team has decided that Irving is "currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets" and that he'll become a fully active player after satisfying several "objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct."

When his initial tweet about the documentary went viral, Irving made a follow-up tweet clarifying that he meant no harm or insult to anyone's religion. He wrote, "I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone's religious beliefs. The 'Anti-Semitic' label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions."

https://twitter.com/KyrieIrving/status/1586419512538451968?s=20&t=zNH5-854TNK_080JOwV4ZA

Several Twitter users criticized the pro-basketballer in the comment section, saying he had no excuse for his statements. One wrote, "Weak explanation. You need to learn more about how discrimination operates against Jewish people and other groups. You say you're open. Be open and learn and show it."

Another commented, "Dude. Do you even watch or read what you promote? There's literally nothing that is more antisemitic than the works you promoted just days ago."