Derrick Rose Wears ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Shirt As Eric Garner Tribute
NBA star Derrick Rose has added his name to the list of professional athletes that have found different ways to protest the Eric Garner case.
Instead of verbalizing his opinions on the issue, Derrick Rose was able to speak volumes by making a fashion statement instead.
The 26-year-old athlete decided to wear a black T-shirt with the words “I Can’t Breathe” printed in large, white letters.
Derrick Rose wore this particular shirt while warming up before he and the Chicago Bulls faced the Golden State Warriors on their home court Saturday.
“I can’t breathe” were the final words that Eric Garner was heard uttering shortly after he was brought to the ground in a choke-hold by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo.
Derrick Rose is not the only NBA athlete to open up and publicly express their opinions on the Eric Garner case, especially after the decision to not indict Daniel Pantaleo for his actions was reached earlier this week.
Although Amar’e Stoudemire was busy working on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks faced the Cavaliers, he openly admitted that he was mad that he couldn’t join the other protesters instead.
“I’m pretty upset that I’m not protesting right now with the rest of the guys out there in New York.”
During the Thursday morning practice session with the Cavaliers, LeBron James also made an official statement in regards to the Eric Garner case and the aftermath of the surprising verdict. However, James also took a firm stand against violent protests.
“This is our country, the land of the free, and we keep having these incidents happen, innocent victims or whatever the case may be. It’s a sensitive subject right now. Violence is not the answer and retaliation isn’t the solution. As a society we just have to do better. I pray for the families of the lost ones.”
Quite a few people have posted their reactions to Derrick Rose and his fashion statement/silent protest on Twitter.
Peace to #DerrickRose for reppin’ black lives tonight. Respect! #ICantBreathe #WeWillBreatheandRiseAgain
— Liberatedking (@Liberatedking) December 7, 2014
Respect to NBA star #DerrickRose for showing solidarity with the movement. #EricGarner #ICantBreathe… http://t.co/A2lwGVtDti
— MediaBlackoutUSA (@MediaBlackoutUS) December 7, 2014
Uncle #CharlesBarkley couldn’t make a statement as profound as #DerrickRose ‘s t-shirt if he had 10 writers #BlackLivesMatter #ICantBreathe
— Nestlé Snipes (@ChocnessMonsta) December 7, 2014
Derrick Rose and several other NBA stars were not the only professional athletes to show their support for controversial verdicts in recent weeks.
Last week, the St. Louis Rams walked out onto the field with each of their arms raised up to show support for the Michael Brown case in Ferguson, Missouri since the jury decided to not indict the officer that killed him, Darren Wilson, either.
[Image Credit: Daily News & CBS Chicago]
