UFC contender Colby Covington expressed strong criticism in response to LeBron James’ choice to remain seated during the national anthem at his son’s USC debut last weekend. Covington, a consistent critic of James, referred to the NBA superstar as a “spineless coward” and suggested that he should consider leaving the country if he harbors such strong disdain for it.
“If you hate America so much and you don’t like this country that gave you a billion dollars, leave it. Or come deal with me. Go to China. Go to these sweatshops that you employ all these laborers and use these women and pay them pennies on the dollar to make your millions. Fk you, LeDrama James. You’re a coward. You’re a spineless coward, and you’re a bch,” on Wednesday, Covington conveyed to the press before his upcoming title bout with UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, scheduled for this Saturday.
James, who has frequently denounced America as a racially biased nation and criticized law enforcement, sparked online discussions over the weekend by choosing to remain seated during the national anthem. Although it seemed that he wasn’t explicitly making a political statement on this occasion, it’s worth noting that James had previously taken a knee during the anthem before games, notably following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Following the incident involving Jacob Blake, whom James described as a convicted sex offender shot while allegedly attempting to kidnap a child, he asserted that the shooting exemplifies the fear black Americans harbor towards the police. Additionally, James issued a threat towards an officer involved in the shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant, who was shot while reportedly attempting to stab another girl.
"YOU'RE NEXT"
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) April 21, 2021
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
On multiple occasions, Covington has labeled James a “spineless coward” due to his criticisms of law enforcement personnel and the values of the country in general.