*LeBron James‘ situation with the national anthem is receiving further opposition, from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star Colby Covington.
Fox News Reports the athlete did not hold back recently when he blasted the NBA fixture for USC’s arena (for his son Bronny’s first college game) during the national anthem and immediately taking a seat, an action that has earned James scorn among sports fans who feel he should have taken the traditional route and stood during the anthem
“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,” Covington said recently during a press conference.
“F— you, LeBron James. You’re a coward. You’re a spineless coward and you’re a b—-.”
Covington’s comments were made before the UFC mainstay’s welterweight bout against Leon Edwards at UFC 296 last weekend.
Footage of James sitting as the national anthem played was posted on X by Orange County Register reporter Luca Evans. The post captured James walking into USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles with his younger son Bryce and two of Bryce’s Sierra Canyon High School teammates on Sunday. The video showed James entering the arena while the anthem was playing.
According to Fox News, the sports mogul was there to watch his son, Bronny, make his debut after a cardiac arrest during the summer. As the video played, X users noticed James immediately sitting in his chair as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was heard on speakers. Adding to the sight was James failing to remove his hat, a customary action of fans. It wasn’t until the end of Evans’ video that James finally stood for the anthem.
James’ conduct during the playing of the national anthem instantly drew critical looks and opinions from those who felt he had “zero respect” for the U.S., in addition to hating the country because he did not stand for the anthem.
Despite it looking like a bad light shined on James, Evans fired back on the sports star’s behalf, saying the criticism towards LeBron is “gross and completely mischaracterizes the situation.”
“As the reporter who took this video, this is gross and completely mischaracterizes the situation,” he wrote on X. “LeBron has done this for YEARS in Bronny’s time at Sierra Canyon. It’s objectively the best time to walk in so he doesn’t cause a massive stir. Stop it.”
Covington’s disdain for James isn’t the only thing generating headlines for him.
According to The Bleacher Report, Covington’s trash talk did not help him secure a victory during his fight with Leon Edwards. The result for the UFC star was a certified loss for the man many know for being one of the loudest trash talkers in MMA.
Looking back, the Bleacher Report noted that Covington’s loss may have been due to bringing Edwards’ late father into the mix. The patriarch was murdered in London when Edwards was only 13.
“On Saturday night, I’m going to bring you to a place you never want to be,” Covington said at the UFC pre-fight press conference. “I’m going to bring you to the seventh layer of hell. We’ll say what’s up to your dad while we’re there.”
Although Covington was expected to come away with the victory and undisputed welterweight title, Edwards brought a different mindset by shutting his opponent down over five rounds to win a clear-cut unanimous decision.
Among those on hand to see Covington’s defeat were former president Donald Trump and “All Summer Long” rap rocker Kid Rock. With his win over Covington, Edwards is now on a 12-fight unbeaten streak.
The streak puts Edwards in a tie with Georges St-Pierre’s record for the longest such streak in the division, Fox News noted.
Covington’s comments before fighting Edwards only strengthened the hurt Edwards was still feeling regarding the passing of his father.
“This guy used my dad’s death as entertainment,” he said after his lopsided win.
“To this day it still breaks my heart,” he added, admitting how emotional Covington’s comment made him. “I was crying, just in a rage [after the press conference].”
“He’s a dirty human being.”
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