NBA star LeBron James was recently selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee to carry the American flag at the Olympic Games in Paris. He did so at the Olympics opening night, becoming the first US basketball player in history to have carried the flag on behalf of the nation. In addition to the opening ceremony becoming notorious over its seeming lampooning of the Last Supper, LeBron’s role in it was skewered, given his past protests regarding America and the National Anthem.
As background, the selection of James in the first place received much backlash, as he has a history of kneeling for the anthem and voicing criticisms of the United States. Further, LeBron has also come under fire for his sympathetic attitude toward China, a growing market that American basketball seeks to capitalize on but many see as threatening American interests abroad and taking advantage of American and other countries in matters of trade.
In a statement when chosen for the honor, LeBron said, “It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together. For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians, and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
In any case, fans were still furious when it was he who carried Old Glory on the first night. Commenting on his being the one to have received the honor despite his past comments, Twitter posters and commenters sounded off. One, for example, wrote, “The punk that won’t stand for the National Anthem, gets to carry Old Glory. Sickening and fake.”
Others added comments with much the same point. Another commenter, for example, wrote, “Absolutely disgraceful to have a man who knelt for the anthem be the flag bearer.” Another came up with a funny new nickname for the woke basketball player, saying, “Lefraud actually trying to look like a proud American… sheesh ”
Joining in was funny X poster Nick Adams, who wrote, as the caption to a picture of LeBron kneeling, “I am disgusted and appalled. LeBron James has NO BUSINESS being selected as the Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer at the Olympics, he KNEELED for the National Anthem! I will be boycotting the opening ceremony.”
On the same note, another conservative account wrote that James being the flag-bearer was an “automatic boycott,” saying, “Having anti-America, kneeling, China-owned LeBron James carrying the American flag during the opening ceremonies at the Olympics is an automatic boycott for me.”
On a very different note, still another person said, “Nothing against LeBron James, but I think the honor of carrying the American Flag in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics should go to an outstanding AMATEUR athlete, someone who has never heard the cheering and accolades of an entire stadium, and their country.”
Watch a video of LeBron sitting for the National Anthem in December of 2023 here: