Kyrie Irving, with his suspension reportedly near an end, sat down with Ian Begley of SNY and apologized for promoting an anti-Semitic film, for his initial handling of the reaction to that promotion, and for his lack of a direct apology until after he was suspended by the Nets.
“I just want to apologize deeply for all my actions throughout the time that it’s been since the post was first put up,” Irving told Begley. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. But my focus, initially, if I could do it over, would be to heal and repair a lot of my close with my Jewish relatives, brothers and sisters.”
Irving told Begley that his experience since being suspended and completing the requirements from the organization to be considered for reinstatement was a “learning journey.”
“There was a lot of hurt that needed to be healed, a lot of conversations that needed to be had, and a lot of reflection,” Irving said. “I got a chance to do that with some great people from the Jewish community, the black community, the white community, I’ve had so manty conversations with all of our races and cultures and religions, just trying to find a better perspective on how we live a more harmonious life.”
Asked about his initial interviews after promoting the film, when he was asked for a yes or no answer on whether he had anti-Semitic beliefs, Irving now says he wish he had handled it differently.
“I felt like I was protecting my character and I reacted out of just pure defense and just hurt that I could be labeled, or I thought that I was being labeled as anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish, and I've felt like that was just so disrespectful to ask me whether or not I was anti-Semitic or not,” Irving said. “Now to the outside world, that may have been seen as a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Which rightfully so, it should've been, 'No, I'm not anti-Semitic. No, I'm not anti-Jewish.' I'm a person who believes we should all have equal opportunities and that we should all shower each other with love, and that should be at the forefront.”
Irving could return to action on Sunday when the Nets host the Grizzlies.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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