Kobe Bryant has become one of the more outspoken retired athletes in recent weeks. Earlier this month the NBA great surprised many during an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter's 'Awards Chatter' podcast.
Bryant revealed that he would choose to kneel in solidarity with NFL protesters if he were still playing in the league. And over the weekend Bryant showed that rebellious streak once again, telling the ABC viewing audience that he'd sit out a trip to the White House if given an opportunity to visit while the current administration is in office.
"I wouldn't go. Simple," Bryant said during Saturday night's (Oct. 21) airing of World News Tonight with David Muir. Without going into specifics about his social views, Bryant posed that such a decision would boil down to his right to align himself on where he stands on the issue, stating, "I think its a whole matter of respect and standing up for what you believe in. Now, you can agree or not disagree, and that's completely fine. I think that's the beauty of the country is being able to speak up in what you believe in. Right?"
While Bryant didn't garner as much association with social justices causes as a player like Lebron James has, Bryant spoke out on police violence in his final years. Fans will recall Bryant and the Lakers as being part of the "I Can't Breathe" campaign that swept the NBA in 2014.
Following a game against the Sacramento Kings, he told reporters: "I think it's us supporting that movement and supporting each other as well as athletes. I think the beauty of our country lies in its democracy. I think if we ever lose the courage to be able to speak up for the things that we believe in, I think we really lose the value that our country stands for."
