LeBron James Sat For National Anthem While Attending His Son’s USC Debut

NBA superstar LeBron James made a dramatic entrance at the Galen Center on Sunday for the USC debut of his son, Bronny James.

New footage shows James arriving during the playing of the national anthem then proceeding to sit down while the anthem was still going on.

Fresh off a win in the debut NBA in-season tournament, James was in attendance for his 19-year-old son’s debut against Long Beach State. Bronny graduated from high school and committed to the USC men’s basketball program in May, but was hospitalized for two days after going into cardiac arrest during a practice in July.

“I just want to give appreciation to everyone who has helped me through this,” the NBA prospect told league reporter Malika Andrews after his debut.

LeBron’s decision to sit for the national anthem has been taking away from the historic debut, however, and has drawn heaps of criticism on social media. “LeBron James just completely disrespects America, sits down during the national anthem,” said The Post Millennial’s Libby Emmons.

The future hall of famer has also faced criticism from his own fans, with one X user saying “I’m a fan, but he and the camera crew didn’t need to enter like that during the anthem.”

REACTIONS:

Lebron James SITS For National Anthem DURING Son's USC Basketball Game pic.twitter.com/DeBDjZdBGB

— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) December 13, 2023

Lebron James hates the country that made him a billionaire.

He didn’t kneel. He literally went and sat down during the anthem.

Cancel him. pic.twitter.com/DlhqAhaRJg

— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) December 13, 2023

LeBron James attends his son’s college basketball game. COMPLETELY ignores the National Anthem.

Anti-American scum. Should have never been allowed on Team USA in the olympics. I know the wokesters are going to attack me for this tweet. Kiss my black ass!pic.twitter.com/wDpPEUDARB

— Suburban Black Man 🇺🇸 (@niceblackdude) December 13, 2023

Lebron James sitting during the national anthem is complete DISRESPECT!

This country gave him EVERYTHING!!! pic.twitter.com/danBY36HEh

— E (@ElijahSchaffer) December 13, 2023

James, 38, was a leading voice in organizing league-wide anthem protests during the BLM protests and riots in 2020. After the death of George Floyd, James locked arms with teammate and fellow NBA All-Star Anthony Davis before kneeling for the anthem.

LeBron also spoke out against the shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020, a sex offender who was shot while attempting to kidnap a child. James said the shooting shows why “we are scared as black people in America. Black men, black women, black kids, we are terrified.”

“If you’re sitting here telling me that there was no way to subdue that gentleman or detain him before the firing of guns, then you’re sitting here lying not only to me, but you’re lying to every African American, every Black person in the community,” he said, failing to note that the “gentleman” was armed with a knife.

The league ended up cancelling postponing playoff games after players refused to take the court in Blake’s honor.

LeBron responds to President Trump calling kneeling during the anthem "disgraceful" ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/6AIy0IXeYd

— FanSided (@FanSided) August 6, 2020

In another infamous incident, James weighed in on the officer-involved shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant, who was shot while attempting to stab another girl. Despite the fact that the officer — a combat veteran — was cleared of any wrongdoing, LeBron James tweeted out his photo with the caption “YOU’RE NEXT.”

James soon deleted the tweet after intense backlash.

"YOU'RE NEXT"
This post by @KingJames could be read as an incitement to violence against a @ColumbusPolice officer who responded to the attempted stabbing attack by #MakhiaBryant. LeBron James has deleted the tweet. Here is an archive: https://t.co/6Dn4LnS22M #BLM pic.twitter.com/epH7EQFjuf

— Andy Ngô 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) April 21, 2021