LeBron James took to Twitter on Wednesday, with a passionate statement over the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old black man who was chased, shot and killed by a white man in Georgia earlier this year.
Graphic video of the shooting spread online this week, sparking outrage from many, including James as the killer has not been arrested or charged.
“We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the….. heavens above to your family!!” James wrote on Twitter.
James’ outrage was commented on by Jason Whitlock of FS1, who called the tweet, “twitter trolling.”
“This isn’t helpful. It’s twitter trolling,” Whitock wrote in response to James. “It’s using this man’s tragedy to build a brand as more outspoken than Michael Jordan. There are all kinds of ways to draw attention to this tragedy. Suggesting that we are hunted everyday/every time is just shit-stirring.”
The connection to Jordan was interesting, considering Michael’s non-involvement in political and social issues has been a recent topic of discussion amid ESPN’s The Last Dance docuseries. A young Michael Jordan casually offered the now infamous line, “republican’s buy sneakers too.”
But James has often been vocal on social and political issues in the past. This is not a first time occurrence as a way of outshining Jordan. He’s supported candidates running for office, publicly criticized Donald Trump, and a couple of years ago James even mildly hinted at running for president in 2020, which obviously did not happen.
Understanding that LeBron’s most recent statement is regarding a social issue and not a political discussion, he also protested over the death of 17-year old Trayvon Martin in 2012.
“I’m sorry Ahmaud (Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the heavens above to your family!!” LeBron added.