Houston Rockets: Chandler, Rivers wont wear social justice messages on jerseys – Hoops Habit

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 16: Tyson Chandler #19 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on November 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets teammates Tyson Chandler and Austin Rivers will both wear their own names on the back of their NBA jerseys after the name they chose was not one of the 29 approved slogans.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, both players discussed their original plan to honor slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin with his name on the back of their jerseys. Martin was a 17-year-old African-American from Miami Gardens, Florida, who was fatally shot in Sanford, Florida by George Zimmerman in 2012.

Im going to stick with my name, Chandler said. What I was thinking about doing was wearing Trayvon Martins name because I thought that would be a powerful statement. I felt like it would remind people that we dont know what this young mans future could have been.

And I felt like, with his name on the back of a jersey, it would remind people of lives that are cut short and we never know what those lives could have become, Tyson continued. I thought it would have been a nice gesture to wear it out on the court and for his family to remind people.

But that wasnt one of the ones (we could use) so Ill keep my name on the back.

As part of its commitment to continuing its support around social and racial justice which became a focal point around the world this summer after the death of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer the NBPA approved 29 slogans that players could choose from to wear on the back of their jerseys during the NBA restart in Orlando.

Some players chose from the list, whose messages included Equality, I Am A Man, How Many More? and Black Lives Matter, while others including LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis have chosen to wear their own names but will still support social justice issues.

Chandlers Houston Rockets teammate, Austin Rivers, will also wear his name on the back of his jersey for the same reason.

I wasnt able to put Trayvon so Im using my name. I do like some of the messages that they have. I like that some of the players are using that, but I wanted to go a different route, said Rivers.

I wanted topersonally for me, being from Orlando and Trayvon being from right outside Orlando that kind of resonated with me and my city and where Im from. No matter where I go or where I play, I always represent Orlando Florida.

So I wanted that but theyre not letting it happen so if thats the case, Ill wear Rivers.

Chandler said he has plans to keep the conversation on racial and social justice going and take action.

For the long run, Id like to get with lawmakers. I think thats where we could have a big impact. A lot of the laws need to be changed, that way we can govern them correctly, he said.

I love the momentum. I love the movement and everything that everyone is standing for, he continued. I would love to get with some lawmakers here in the near future. That is my plan.

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Houston Rockets: Chandler, Rivers wont wear social justice messages on jerseys - Hoops Habit

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