In 2022, Kyrie Irving found himself being the center of criticism, after the controversial star voiced his support for a film and book that promotes anti-Semitic tropes.
Many criticized and condemned Irving’s controversial social media posts, including Nets owner Joe Tsai, leading to the Nets, the team Irving was playing for at the time, then suspending Irving, until the completion of a to-do list of six steps he was given to tackle before a possible return to the team. The list included a sincere apology, a $500,000 donation toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in communities, sensitivity training, anti hate training, as well as a meeting with representatives from the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish community leaders in Brooklyn.
While Irving fulfilled the list and was reinstated, his latest actions raise the question if these actions were all too fruitful. Utah-based Rabbi, Avremi Zippel, now shared his negative encounter with Irving.
During Monday’s game between the Utah Jazz and the visiting Dallas Mavericks, the Rabbi wanted to send a message to Irving, for the aforementioned statements.
As his form of protest, Zippel and three other rabbis displayed signs from their front-row seats that read “I’m a Jew and I’m proud”. Irving saw the signs and reacted by allegedly making sure that arena security told the four they had to get rid of their signs.
Update:
Kyrie saw the signs. At the 9:40 mark of the first quarter, he commented “no need to bring that to a game.”
At the next timeout he went to Mavs security.
Jazz officials came over and CHECKED OUR TICKETS.
We were told to put the signs away.
Weak sauce from so many… https://t.co/AzoDVczF8k
— Avremi Zippel (@UtahRabbi) January 2, 2024
The Utah Jazz then issued a statement, saying Zippel’s signs violated arena rules created:
“The Utah Jazz Code of Conduct is in place so that games can be played without distraction and disruption. No matter where someone is in the arena, if a sign becomes distracting or sparks an interaction with a player, we will ask them to remove it.
During an out-of-bounds play in the first quarter of yesterday’s Jazz game against the Dallas Mavericks, there was a group sitting courtside whose signs sparked an interaction with a player that created a distraction and interfered with play of game. As the next step in standard security protocol, the fans were asked to take down their signs. … The issue was the disruptive interaction caused by usage of the signs, not the content of the signs.”
I think the rules are that if someone else mentions me, I get a chance to respond.
The Jazz released this head-scratching statement about the “I’m a Jew and I’m proud” signs, and I legit don’t know where to begin.
So here’s some thoughts:
— Avremi Zippel (@UtahRabbi) January 3, 2024
In response to this, Zippel shared that he doesn’t believe his sign conflicted with the Code of Conduct, calling the Jazz’s decision to ban it “really sad and profoundly troubling to me.”
I’ve posted the full details of what happened on my IG. I’m at UtahRabbi.
Condensed version https://t.co/dunWMwqE8c pic.twitter.com/fBkDH73B4W
— Avremi Zippel (@UtahRabbi) January 2, 2024
