It was five-and-a-half years ago that Eric Garner died in Staten Island after being held in a chokehold by a police officer. Garner yelled out “I can’t breathe” multiple times in a video that caught the incident as it happened.
In response, NBA players from around the league — from LeBron James to Derrick Rose to Carlos Boozer — wore black warmup shirts with the phrase “I can’t breathe” printed on them.
Kobe Bryant also wore one of those shirts.
In the wake of protests over George Floyd — who was killed earlier this month, and who also said he couldn’t breathe as an officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes — Vanessa Bryant posted a photo of her late husband from 2014:
Bryant’s caption read, in part:
“Let’s share and embrace the beautiful qualities and similarities we all share as people. Drive out hate. Teach respect and love for all at home and school. Spread LOVE.”
James also posted a photo of himself in an “I can’t breathe” shirt from that time four days ago:
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