Kyrie Irving meant “no disrespect” after telling a reporter “f**k Thanksgiving” following a game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, earlier in the week. The Celtics guard, who is of Native American heritage, explained on Twitter Thursday (Nov. 22), that he was upset over the 117-109 loss to the Knicks when a reporter wished him a “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“I spoke [with] frustration after last [night’s] game and spoke words that shouldn’t be in a professional setting no matter what,” Irving tweeted. “Meant no disrespect to the Holiday and those who celebrate it respectfully. I’m grateful for the time we all can share with our families. We are always ONE.”
Meant no disrespect to the Holiday and those who celebrate it respectfully. I’m grateful for the time We all can share with our families. We are always ONE. 🔺👁
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) November 22, 2018
READ MORE: Kyrie Irving Enrolls In Harvard Business School
The 26-year-old NBA player further clarified that he wants to be more careful with his words. “I don’t hold anybody in contempt or anything against them if they celebrate Thanksgiving or anything like that,” he told Boston Globe NBA reporter Gary Washburn. Speaking on his comments Irving added, “It shouldn’t be said in a professional setting no matter what my beliefs are in terms of Thanksgiving.”
In August, Irving and his older sister traveled to South Dakota to reconnect with their late mother’s Native American roots. The siblings became official members of the Standing Rock Sioux and were renamed in a traditional Lakota ceremony.
Watch the video below for Irving’s explain his comments about Thanksgiving.
Kyrie Irving apologizes for making his Thanksgiving statement in a “professional setting” but not for making the statement. He explains his opinion. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/IlZ9oTcL0G
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) November 23, 2018
READ MORE: Kyrie Irving Abandons Flat-Earth Theory, Apologizes To Science Teachers