Sacramento Kings commentator Grant Napear has resigned following conflict over an “all lives matter” tweet sent to DeMarcus Cousins.
The Kings announced the news in a statement Tuesday.
“Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings, the statement reads. “We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”
Sports 1140 KHTK announced on Tuesday that Napear has also been fired from his radio gig.
Bonneville Sacramento has parted ways with Grant Napear. pic.twitter.com/n2T7CFOItP
— Sports 1140 KHTK (@Sports1140KHTK) June 2, 2020
Cousins asked Napear his thoughts on “Black Lives Matter.” Napear answered “ALL LIVES MATTER.”
Would expect nothing less from a closet racists
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 1, 2020
Chris Webber also shared his thoughts clear on the former commentator.
Demarcus we know and have known who grant is. The team knows as well. I’ve told them many times. They’ve seen it. They know who he is. 🤡🤡 https://t.co/4DI4f1DGUp
— Chris Webber (@realchriswebber) June 1, 2020
Naper stated that:
“I’m not as educated on BLM as I thought I was,” Napear said. “I had no idea that when I said ‘All Lives Matter’ that it was counter to what BLM was trying to get across. …
“I’m in pain. I’m 60 years old and I still have a lot to learn.”
“All Lives Matter” is a retort frequently used to shut down the concerns of black Americans advocating against police brutality.
Napear also issued a response on Twitter Sunday night.
If it came across as dumb I apologize. That was not my intent. That's how I was raised. It has been engrained in me since I can remember. I've been doing more listening than talking the past few days. I believe the past few days will change this country for the better! https://t.co/Gsh84BPBEk
— Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) June 1, 2020
Napear had created a public turmoil before on issues of race when he argued that former Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, could not be racist, since he hired black people.
