National Basketball Association

LeBron James says he respects Colin Kaepernick but will continue to stand for anthem

Published Sep. 26, 2016 2:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

LeBron James is the most influential player in the NBA and one of the most well-known athletes in the world, and he's used his platform to speak out on social issues in the past.

In 2012 he called for justice for Trayvon Martin along with his Miami Heat teammates by wearing hooded sweatshirts. In 2014, following the death of Eric Garner, James was one of many players to wear "I can't breathe" shirts during warmups. Earlier this summer, James and his close friends Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul called for an end to gun violence in a powerful segment at the ESPYs.

Hundreds of players will be asked at NBA team media days Monday whether they plan to protest the national anthem in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and James said that though he respects Kaepernick's choice and his method of protest that he will continue to stand for the anthem as normal.