Divisive former receiver Antonio Brown has defended Kanye West after several NFL and NBA players cut ties to the rapper following his viral anti-semitic comments.
On October 9, West sensationally tweeted he would go ‘death con 3’ on ‘JEWISH PEOPLE’ before claiming Jewish people control the media in an interview released on Monday. As a result, NFL superstar Aaron Donald and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown decided to sever their ties to West’s Donda Sports Agency.
In the interview with podcast host Lex Fridman, West also blamed Jewish people for his mental health problems and claimed billionaire philanthropist George Soros 'would use the black trauma economy to win an election’. While many have chosen to publicly disassociate themselves with the disgraced rapper, Brown - who hasn’t played in the NFL since storming off the field in 2021 - has defended West.
“Over the past few weeks the world's reactionary and selective outrage at comments in the media made by my brother, Ye, have inflamed and sparked rampant conversation and reflection,” Brown, who has served as Donda Sports president since his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said.
“None of us in this world are free of judgment, yet we live in a time where scrutiny and pessimism have driven our dialogues on cultural issues toward diatribes. Sensationalism and groupthink have forced people to not speak their minds and act out in fear rather than love. For these reasons, I stand by my dedication to freedom of speech, thought, and opinion.
“I actively seek to coexist in places where I may have a difference of opinion because it's diversity in thought that pushes humanity forward.”
Brown acknowledged that 'discrimination of any kind is an injustice to all people’, and ended his statement by declaring he remains ‘in support of the humanity that is Ye’.
West has engaged in a number of baseless claims, such as insisting former Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director Virgil Abloh - who died of cancer last year - was 'killed' by the company's CEO, and that 'fake children' were planted in his home to manipulate his children.
Several companies, including Adidas, Gap and Balenciaga, have also dropped their association with West and Donda Sports after the social media post. Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Donald - a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year - and Celtics star Brown looked to cut ties with the sports agency following West’s recent outbursts.
Donald - a reigning Super Bowl champion with the Rams - released a joint-statement with his wife, Erica, as they denounced West's quotes. It read: “We felt a responsibility to send a clear message that hateful words and actions have consequences and that we must do better as human beings.
“We do not feel our beliefs, voices and actions belong anywhere near a space that misrepresents and oppresses people of any background, ethnicity or race.”
Brown originally stated he would remain with the company but hours later reversed his decision. His statement read: “In the past 24 hours, I've been able to reflect and better understand how my previous statements lack clarity in expressing my stance against recent insensitive public remarks and actions. For that, I apologise.
“I now recognise that there are times when my voice and position can't coexist in spaces that don't correspond with my stance or my values. And, that for that reason, I am terminating my association with Donda Sports.”
The 26-year-old, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals, added he will ‘continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation and oppressive rhetoric of any kind’.
