Clutching his young daughter in his arms, LeBron James said he stands with Nike, a clear reference to the companyB次元官网网址檚 Colin Kaepernick ad campaign.
The basketball superstar B次元官网网址� and new Los Angeles Laker B次元官网网址� made the remarks as he received an award Tuesday for both his style and his philanthropy from HarlemB次元官网网址檚 Fashion Row. The fashion collective partnered with Nike for the New York event, both a fashion show and an awards ceremony that focused on diversity in the fashion world. The evening culminated in the reveal of the latest LeBron James Nike basketball shoe: a womenB次元官网网址檚 sneaker designed by three female African-American designers and inspired by strong African-American women.
In emotional remarks, James paid tribute to the three women in his life B次元官网网址� his mother, wife and 3-year-old daughter, Zhuri.
He noted how his mother had raised him alone, and given him B次元官网网址渁 sense of pride, a sense of strength, a sense of no worry.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淏ecause of you, Gloria James, IB次元官网网址檓 able to be in a position today where I can give back and showcase why I believe African-American women are the most powerful women in the world.B次元官网网址�
The NBA star, who was wearing one of his favoured shrunken-fit shorts suits by designer Thom Browne, called his daughter B次元官网网址渕y rock.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淧eople always told me if you ever have a girl, sheB次元官网网址檒l change you,B次元官网网址� said James, who also has two sons. B次元官网网址淚 was like, nobodyB次元官网网址檚 changing me, IB次元官网网址檓 a man.B次元官网网址� But she did, he said.
RELATED:
B次元官网网址淣ot only did she change me, sheB次元官网网址檚 made me a better person,B次元官网网址� James said. B次元官网网址淎 more dedicated person, a stronger person, I guess a more sensitive person.B次元官网网址�
Closing his remarks, he said he stood B次元官网网址渇or anybody who believes in change.B次元官网网址� He added: B次元官网网址淚 stand with Nike, all day, every day.B次元官网网址�
Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, unveiled his first ad of the new campaign Monday. B次元官网网址淏elieve in something, even if it means sacrificing everything,B次元官网网址� it said.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.
B次元官网网址� Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7)
The new endorsement deal has sparked vigorous debate, with some fans expressing displeasure over the apparel giantB次元官网网址檚 support of a player known for starting a wave of protests among NFL players against police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues.
Some angry fans were even burning and cutting out the signature swoosh logos on their gear B次元官网网址� and posting the results on social media.
But Kaepernick and his Nike campaign, which marks the 30th anniversary of NikeB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淛ust Do It,B次元官网网址� received plenty of support from the fashion world in attendance Tuesday.
Bethann Hardison, an activist for diversity in fashion and a former supermodel who was also honoured by HarlemB次元官网网址檚 Row, said she was happy with NikeB次元官网网址檚 move. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a divided situation in our world right now,B次元官网网址� she said of the negative reaction by some fans. B次元官网网址淏ut IB次元官网网址檓 such a huge, huge, wholehearted supporter of Colin that IB次元官网网址檓 very proud that someone understands what heB次元官网网址檚 done and (is giving) him some kudos.B次元官网网址�
Prominent African-American designer Tracy Reese said she loved the new Nike campaign.
B次元官网网址淚t was tastefully done,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd really, this is the time to stand up for what you believe in. Colin Kaepernick has done that and I think that we need to follow his example and really go where the heart leads, instead of where everybody expects you to go.B次元官网网址�
Also honoured at the ceremony were Harlem streetwear designer Dapper Dan and stylist Jason Rembert. A fashion show highlighted the work of designers Kimberly Goldson, Undra Duncan and Fe Noel, who together helped create the new shoe.
The Associated Press
Like us on and follow us on .
