Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald and Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown have both cut ties with Kanye West's sporting agency Donda Sports after the rapper's anti-Semitic outburst earlier this month.
West offended millions in a tweet in which he stated: "I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE. The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda."
Donald, arguably the best player in the NFL, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times and having one Super Bowl championship, released a joint-statement with his wife, Erica, as they denounced West's quotes.
"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 would then also part ways with Donda Sports, after previously stating he would remain with the company. He said: "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 apologize.
He added: "... I now recognzie 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."
Brown reversed his initial decision to stay with Donda Sports, writing that he will "continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation and oppressive rhetoric of any kind".
Several companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga, have also dropped their association with West and Donda Sports after the social media post.
Kanye, now officially known as Ye after changing his name, apologised for those who he offended when appearing on Piers Morgan's show. Morgan asked West if he was sorry, to which he responded: "No, absolutely not. Absolutely not."
Morgan would then state: "When you insult the Jewish people and say you're going death con 3 on the Jewish people, that is as racist as anything you say you've been through and any pain that you've experienced. It's the same thing. Racism is racism and you know that."
West responded: "I fought fire with fire. I'm not here to get hosed down. I'm a different type of freedom fighter."
Before adding: "I will say I'm sorry for the people that I hurt with the death con, with the confusion. I feel like I caused hurt and confusion and I am sorry for the families of the people who had nothing to do with the trauma that I had been through. I used my platform where you say, I hurt people, and I was hurt."
