Posted on 11/09/2014 12:52:04 PM PST by DogByte6RER
Dion Waiters informs Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is a Muslim and plans to skip national anthems
• Update: Dion Waiters clarifies remarks about his pregame ritual, will be there for anthems
DENVER, Colo. – Prior to the Cavaliers getting set to take on the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, one of their players was missing from the pregame opening events.
Dion Waiters was nowhere to be found when the national anthem was being sung. He was absent when the starting lineups were introduced.
It was the first game of the season that he was coming off the bench. He finally arrived from the locker room to join the Cavaliers' bench a couple seconds before tip off. Folks started to speculate if he was injured, disgruntled or if this was his way of rebelling?
Turns out, Waiters was just acting in accordance with what he feels his religious beliefs are.
Waiters informed Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is a Muslim and that's the reason he excused himself prior to the national anthem.
"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.
(Excerpt) Read more at cleveland.com ...
may not be completely true:
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Dion Waiters said that a report stating he missed the national anthem in Utah earlier this week for religious reasons was a “big misunderstanding,” adding he was undergoing his “normal routine” in the locker room when he lost track of time.
“It was a big miscommunication,” Waiters said after Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice Sunday. “Big misunderstanding. I love my country. I love the United States of America. I’d rather be here than any place else. It was just a big misunderstanding on both parts.”
The Northeast Ohio Media Group quoted Waiters on Friday saying, “It’s because of my religion. That’s why I stayed in the locker room.”
A clear declaration by this man that Islam is not compatible with the U.S.A.
????????
Arabs considers lower than dogs!
Cut him. Let him wash cars.
On the 7th of November (Sunday is the 9th), he said this,
“It’s because of my religion,” Waiters told NEOMG. “That’s why I stayed in the locker room.” Now, he says he lost track of time. Sorry, I am not buying his cover story. Hopefully, the team talked some sense into him. He’s an American, act like one.
LuvitorLeaveit...
If Cleveland can’t solve their problem...
Bu-BYE everythang Cleveland or Ohio.
This stuff is worse than EBOLA.
period
He doesn’t care about that. He’s probably just play to raise funds for some, uhm, ‘recreational actvities’.
Then go play basketball for the Pakistan Goat-humpers.
Yea right. No one is in the locker room and he lost track of time? lol Liar.
sell him to the arab slavers
aren’t there a couple, at least, minor protestant denominations that don’t care for the pledge nor the national anthem???
Islam is a Satanic death cult that demands that all infidels covert, die or become slaves. Does that sound like being American to you?
Good point.
Sort of like Democrats, they never correct their own. Unless they do good...
NBA? 90% of his teammates are right with him.
Sorry. It is still a somewhat free country. Yes, it is appalling and disrespectful. We render honors to countries that are not exactly our friends as sign of respect, but there is no law compelling respect, nor should there be. There is no law that compels you to stand. If there were, showing respect would be completely meaningless as it is done under duress. At least he stays in the locker room. If he sat down on the court, that would be very rude but still not illegal. Perhaps the team has rules he is violating and can be held accountable to? The fans are free to taunt or jeer after the anthem. In fact, how many athletes or fans render the proper respect? Many are talking, looking around, scratching themselves, at the concession stand, walking down the aisle, etc.; hardly respectful.
Other faiths do not stand or acknowledge the flag; Quakers and Amish come to mind.
Was having the trashy like of Aaron Lewis sing the anthem showing respect?
I do not agree with Waiters behavior but he is a free citizen.
Would you pay money to attend his game?
Waiters says he is rededicating himself more to his Muslim faith.
In before the beheading.
Would I pay to attend? No. But then I do not pay to attend any professional sporting events except for the extremely rare free baseball tickets. They games are ridiculously expensive and the players and owners are abominable. With that in mind, this player’s behavior isn’t in any way surprising. Honor the flag? They can’t honor themselves and others with respectable behavior. They cannot engage in sportsman like conduct.
Perhaps your question should be, were I a typical sports fan would I pay to see this guy? Probably not. Being polite and respectful costs nothing.
That said, I shy from these litmus tests mostly because I do not want them applied to me. People should hire me for a job because I am the best candidate for that job, not for my beliefs.
FROM ESPN TODAY:
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Dion Waiters said that a report stating he missed the national anthem in Utah earlier this week for religious reasons was a “big misunderstanding,” adding he was undergoing his “normal routine” in the locker room when he lost track of time.
“It was a big miscommunication,” Waiters said after Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice Sunday. “Big misunderstanding. I love my country. I love the United States of America. I’d rather be here than any place else. It was just a big misunderstanding on both parts.”
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