By: Eva Huang
Ja Morant, the point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, was suspended for 25 games after he posted two videos of himself waving a gun.
The NBA suspended Morant even though he didn’t break any gun safety rules set by the league. After he posted twice about having guns in his possession, it was clear to the NBA to put him into another, yet longer suspension than last time. Morant described his content as harmful too.
Many people agreed with the NBA placing a suspension on Morant. For instance, Kris Brown, the president of a non-profit organization that helps fight gun violence, says that she finds it appropriate to place a suspension on Morant: “Firearms may be a tool in some instances, but they can also kill, maim, and injure other people if handled and stored properly,” Brown said. She continued by saying that celebrities should be held accountable, especially in “life-and-death” situations.
The first incident was in March when Morant flourished a gun in a live stream on Instagram in a nightclub laughing as he waved it around. Morant later apologized and said he would check himself into a health facility and find another way to deal with his stress. The NBA suspended him for 8 games at that time.
The most recent incident occurred on May 13th. Morant’s friends streamed another video of Morant waving his gun, this time in a car. The CEO of the NBA, Adam Silver, said was “shocked,” and the Grizzlies subsequently suspended him with 25 games.
Gun violence is a serious issue, and people jokingly referencing it is never good. School shootings have happened so often that over 356,000 students and 386 schools in the United States have experienced a school shooting. Last year, 2022, had the highest number of school shootings since 1999.
Morant later apologized last Friday by saying, “To the kids looking up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model…And to all my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.”
Nike, one of his sponsors, had a collaboration with him by making a shoe inspired by Morant. They seemed kind and backed Morant after his first incident, and they said they will continue to support him on and off the court.
Many people hope for the best for Morant and believe he has a better side off the court to show us. Hopefully, he will show that to us and demonstrate his good side!