Posted on 11/08/2014 11:09:27 AM PST by Kazan
UPDATE: There has been a Twitter denial (from Waiters), which is strange because the original story used a direct quote:
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters told Cleveland.com he recently informed Cavs ownership that he is Muslim and that he will abstain from joining his team during the national anthem, doing so Wednesday night in Utah -- though Waiters did stand with the Cavs during Friday's anthem at Denver.
On Wednesday, the first game Waiters was coming off the bench for Cleveland, he was not on the floor during the anthem or when the starters were introduced. Waiters told the Northeast Ohio Media Group he was following his religious beliefs by not standing for the anthem.
Waiters informed Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is a Muslim and that he plans to excuse himself prior to the national anthem from here on out.
"It's because of my religion," Waiters told NEOMG. "That's why I stayed in the locker room."
Waiters says he is rededicating himself more to his Muslim faith. He appears to be in a happier state.
Waiters, however, did stand with his team during [Friday's] national anthem. Maybe he's selective.
via Dion Waiters informs NEOMG that he is a Muslim and plans to skip national anthems | cleveland.com.
The situation bears resemblance to onetime Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who refused to stand for the anthem because of political and religious beliefs, and was suspended by the NBA before reaching a compromise with the team.
Waiters, 22, is averaging 10.3 points on 40 percent shooting for the Cavaliers.
His religion requires him to disrespect out National Anthem? Of course, he’’s a Muzz.
What a messed up religion cult what ever it is its so weak in its convictions you cant politely stand with your team mates
Lebron probably wishing he was back in Miami. In another couple of months (given the weather) he’ll really be wishing he was back in Miami.
But the sob will cash his f ing check won’t he fing hypocrite
What has our country become?
Remembrances of "John Goldfarb".
Didn’t the Kenyan Pirate say Islam was part of America?
No problem; I don’t consider Waiters an American anyway.
I was at a music festival in Kansas right after 9/11. One of the performers began singing the National Anthem a cappella. Everyone stood except this one couple. Me, now, I would have gone over afterwards and kicked their collective butts. Then I just scowled at them.
He needs a Muslim name, like when Wally Jones became Wali Jones.
If he doesn't like it here in America and can't show respect, he should drag his mohammaden azz to some muzzie country and try and get paid for bouncing a ball there!
Or like Dirka Dirka Dirka Muhammad Jihad.
Good-bye. You have violated your contract, regarding required public appearances with the team. Surely you’ll find a more productive setting for your talents in some country in the Middle East. Need any help with plane reservations? Don’t let the door hit you in the rear on the way out.
no he can go into the locker room and pray and that time will be docked from his pay this is a CHRISTIAN nation still
I hate to say it but it is a free country, sort of somewhat. I think if he were not to stand, to remain in the locker room was actually the more respectful thing to do. He isn’t running for office, he isn’t any sort of leader of any kind, he is just some guy that throws a ball through a hoop. Half the Mexicans do not stand for the national anthem in California. I take them and Waiters for the hypocrites they are. They are all here for a reason; it is better here and you clearly can’t make a living playing basketball in a muslim country. The fans would be perfectly within their rights to boo him or chant at him after the anthem.
Any oath or sign of respect is lacking in meaning if it is performed under duress. Amish do not say the pledge of allegiance or swear by God as some other faiths. If he stood simply to appease us, it would be meaningless.
So often these days, in the aftermath of a violent disaster, witnesses will say; “ He had just recently dedicated himself to the Muslim faith. Other than that, nothing had changed”.
This is not to say all people of that faith are dangerous, because that is not true, but an unfortunately large percentage of this faith have made it their business to become very dangerous to other Americans. When I start hearing about certain Mosques being closed down and certain Imans prosecuted for enciting violence, I will know they are ready to embrace our lifestyle and our values as is.
It’s a NATIONAL anthem! If he HATES America so much that he won’t stand for it’s anthem, then he should LEAVE the COUNTRY and be a b-ball player in Saudi Arabia!!
His religion may still be in question. What’s already clear is that Waiter speaks in Ebonics, like a Ghetto-Dweller or a 7th Grade Graduate. “Dis, Dat, & Da-Udder”
What is this guy doing in this country?
Okay, I skip the nba.
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