LeBron James kneels during national anthem to protest racial injustice

On Thursday, LeBron James linked arms with his LA Lakers teammates and knelt during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. They were accompanied in solidarity by the Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans players. All of it, James says, was inspired by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and he hopes “Kaep” feels the support.“I hope we made Kaep proud,” James said in a press conference after the game. “I hope we continue to make Kaep proud every single day. I hope I make him proud with how I live my life, not only on the basketball floor but off the floor.”[video_embed id='2001865']RELATED: LeBron James is using his massive platform to spread an important message[/video_embed]“I’ve been one to always speak out about things that I feel like is unjust. If I’m educated on things, I always go about it that way. So Kaep was someone who stood up when times weren't comfortable, and people didn’t understand or refused to listen to what he was saying,” he continued.

LeBron James on kneeling during the anthem to protest systemic racism: “I hope we made Kaep proud.” LeBron then explains his gratitude for the military pic.twitter.com/FHYWyD06Hm

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 31, 2020

James also made sure to quash any backlash that might have people calling the move an affront to the American flag or the American troops. “When you go back and listen to any of his post-game interviews, it had absolutely nothing to do about the flag. He explained that and the ears were uncomfortable. People never listened. They refused to listen. I did! We just thank him for sacrificing everything that he did.”

Lakers, Clippers and officials lock arms and kneel together to protest systemic racism during the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/AGQbxYvyjJ

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 31, 2020

The Lakers beat the Clippers on Thursday, 103-101.Four years ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the American national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality, a move which many on the conservative side of the political debate called an affront to the American flag and American troops. He said at the time, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street, and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” That cost Kaepernick his career.The NBA has had a long-standing rule, in place since 1981, that dictates, “players, coaches and trainers must stand and line up in a dignified posture along the foul lines” during the national anthem. NBC Commissioner Adam Silver, however, has shown support for the kneeling, saying, “I respect our teams’ unified act of peaceful protest for social justice and under these unique circumstances will not enforce our long-standing rule requiring standing during the playing of our national anthem.”[video_embed id='1969621']Before you go: LeBron James joins artists for 'Blackout Tuesday' on social media[/video_embed]