Fans of the New York Knicks didn't have to wait for their October 4 preseason opener to learn whether anyone from the team's 18-man roster might enter the season prepared to stage a protest. Sources revealed on Friday [September 30] that the reason newly acquired center Joakim Noah was a no-show at a team dinner held at the United States Military Academy in West Point on Thursday, had to do with him having an anti-war stance.
"He has the utmost respect for the military members and cadets," a representative for the 31-year old NBA veteran is reported as having told select members of the press. "He just doesn't agree with war."
Each of the Knicks' other players were on hand for the event, where they interacted and ate with cadets, before taking in a motivational speech from one of the institution's speakers. Upon learning that Noah's absence had implications of political dissent, West Point's administration released a statement that read, "We are disappointed and feel Mr. Noah's choice of West Point to make a statement is inappropriate because of the great sacrifice that has originated from this institution over our Nation's history."
It isn't the first time Noah has made his views on social issues public. He is noted as having been outspoken ever since his days as a student-athlete at the University of Florida. One day after his July signing with the Knicks, Noah shared his sentiment on gun violence, stating, "It's just very sad what's going on in this country. Not just the police brutality, that's getting a lot of the headlines right now, but just kids killing kids, and kids having access to automatic rifles, and school shootings. … It's just disappointing that these laws aren't changing."
Source: bleacherreport.com
