Cole Beasley isn’t a fan of the Nets suspending Kyrie Irving. In a now-viral Tweet, Beasley defended Irving’s right to free speech. Irving has been at the forefront of the news all week after he was criticized for posting a link to a film titled Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.
Beasley, a retired Bills receiver, said he ‘won’t miss’ controversy in pro sports after Kyrie got suspended for five games over promoting a film on social media that allegedly had antisemitic views.
He then added that, “People should be able to say what they want.”
Shannon Sharpe disagreed.
The Fox Sports personality took to his show with Skip Bayless and ripped Beasley apart for what he said.
“You feel you should be able to say whatever I want without ramifications, without consequences. Well, you should try that out, Cole Beasley.
And I promise you’ll be missing more than those two front teeth.”
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The Nets said Thursday that the decision to suspend Irving followed repeated failed opportunities by him to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”
“We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify,” the statement read.
Like Irving in the NBA, Beasley fought the NFL over COVID-19 policies. Both athletes refused to be vaccinated, and as a result, were hit with fines and loss of game checks.
The Nets then assigned their five-game suspension after Irving spoke to reporters on Thursday and reiterated that he cannot be antisemitic because he knows where he comes from.
The ban will cost Irving over $2 million in game checks.
