Getty Jaylen Brown #7, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown announced on his Twitter page that he is terminating his association with his Sports Agency, Donda Sports, an agency owned by controversial rapper Kanye West. Brown released an official statement on the matter.
“In the past 24 hours, I’ve been able to reflect and better understand how my previous statements lack clarity in expressing my stance against recent insensitive public remarks and actions. For that, I apologize. And in this, I seek to be as clear as possible. I have always, and will always, continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation, and oppressive rhetoric of any kind.
“In light of that, after sharing in conversation, I now recognize that there are times when my voice and my position can’t coexist in spaces that don’t correspond with my stance or my values. And, for that reason, I am terminating my association with Donda Sports.
“I do seek to continue providing mentorship, love, and support to the incredible children, faculty, and young athletes with whom I’ve been grateful to form bonds with and during my time with Donda Academy.”
Brown Did Not Approve of West’s Comments
In an interview with The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, Brown initially said that he was not planning on leaving Donda Sports, but he made it clear that he did not approve of West’s antisemitic comments.
“First, I don’t condone any hurt, harm, or danger toward any group of people or individuals whatsoever,” Brown told Washburn. “I’ve been a member of my community, trying to uplift my community, and I’m going to continue to do that.”
Brown also explained that he chose Donda Sports because of the good that it does for the community.
“The reason why I signed with Donda Sports, it represented education, it represented activism, disruption, it represented single-parent households, and a lot more people are involved in something like that. A lot of people that I work with, work with their families, build love and respect for, spending time in the summer. A lot of people involved. That’s what the organization from my vantage point from Donda Sports represented.
“I think it continues to represent that and it’s a sensitive topic for a lot of people. But a lot of stuff you see me doing in the community and you’ve already seen me doing in the community is a direct translation from what that organization has stood for.”
Brown’s Thoughts on Kanye West
While talking with Washburn, Brown said that he believes West is going through a lot of struggles at the moment.
“He’s someone who’s obviously dealing with a lot of adversity that’s in front of him right now and everybody can see it and it’s public. But a lot of people in the world are dealing with adversity and things that are going on that’s in front of them and they need help. It’s a lot going on right now.”
Brown reassured Wasburn that he does not approve of West’s comments, but made it clear that much like anyone else, working through struggles requires support from loved ones.
“It’s tough to speak on because everybody is going to form their own opinions about what you have to say, but I look at people that I’ve been around, family, friends that you love,” he said. “To me, it’s unconditional. To me, as they’re working through problems, we’re working through it in unison.
“I don’t agree with everything that everybody does. Like I said, I don’t stand for any hurt, harm, or danger toward anybody, but sometimes people need unconditional love and help to get them through the situation.”
Brown’s interview with Washburn took place before he announced his termination from the agency.