PHOTO: Blazers' Lillard latest to don 'I can't breathe' shirt
Many of the NBA's marquee stars have donned black pregame shirts over the last number of days that read "I can't breathe" in support of the grieving family of Eric Garner, who died July 17 following an altercation with police officers in Staten Island, N.Y.
Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kobe Bryant and other members of the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets have all sported the shirts, and now Portland Trail Blazers All-Star guard Damian Lillard has joined the cause.
The #Blazers @Dame_Lillard is sporting an "I can't breathe," shirt tonight before game vs. Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/Vyf5OlvB2E
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 10, 2014
Lakers legend Magic Johnson said Tuesday he was pleased that pro athletes were using their platform to support peaceful protests.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday that, while he respects players for voicing their views on important issues, he would prefer they follow the league's rules for on-court attire.