The Toronto Raptors are gearing up for their new season, but the topic that drew the most attention off the court Monday was whether or not players would be taking a stance against police brutality.
Since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the U.S. national anthem at a preseason game, citing racial injustice and police brutality, many other professional athletes have followed suit — saying something needs to be done to create change on the matter.
Several Raptors voiced their concerns on the issue Monday, including All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan.
READ MORE: Obama says Colin Kaepernick ‘exercising constitutional right’ with protests
“We all as individuals on this team have been through different things in our lives and it’s definitely a sensitive thing that I think I definitely will take an approach to,” DeRozan said, adding that the team plans to show some form of solidarity on the issue.
“Because I had a close friend of mine a couple of weeks ago that was murdered by the police, shot 17 times. It was something that I haven’t spoke out about, it was more so about justunderstanding what’s going on in our society and how much I could help and that’s what it’s all about and so most definitely we will and I will for sure.”
DeRozan wouldn’t say what he or his teammates planned to do specifically, but that it would be something that everyone would have to agree on it.
READ MORE: Chiefs’ Marcus Peters raises fist during national anthem
“As long as we do it just making sure we are all on one accord and anything we do we’re supporting one another and that’s what it’s all about – being able to try and make a difference and understanding everybody’s point of view, thought process,” he said.
“Everybody didn’t grow up in Compton so their point of view on something may be different from mine.”
All-Star guard Kyle Lowry echoed DeRozan’s sentiments and said it was important to use his voice as a professional athlete to bring attention to the controversial issue.
READ MORE: Broncos player kneels in support of Kaepernick during anthem of NFL season opener
“For me as a professional, I think using my voice and using my platform to get out there and me having two younger black kids and making sure people are aware of that,” he said.
“Me growing up definitely getting pulled over was a scary thing and definitely it was a like a nervous thing but you know now I think we have to use our voices.”
Last week, the National Basketball Association sent out a memo to its players saying it was working with the Players Association to come up with ways to create positive change.
READ MORE: NBA, NBPA send players memo seeking ideas for social changes
The memo however, did not remind players that they must stand for the national anthem, something that forward Jared Sullinger says he is intrigued by.
“We already have a rule written in our code of conduct that anything against the flag will be a fine so we’re interested to see what will happen,” he said Sullinger.
The Raptors play their first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors Saturday night in Vancouver and their home opener on Oct. 26 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
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