LeBron James supports Colin Kaepernick’s cause but won’t kneel during the national anthem

LeBron James has no intention of taking a knee during the national anthem before NBA games this season, but that doesn’t mean the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar isn’t concerned about the issues that have driven San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other professional athletes to protest in such a matter in recent weeks.

Because James is extremely concerned.

“For me, my personal feelings is that I got a 12-year-old son, a 9-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter, and I look at my son being four years removed from driving his own car and being able to leave the house on his own, and it’s a scary thought right now to think if my son gets pulled over,” James told ESPN on Monday during the Cavaliers’ media day.

“You tell your kids if you just apply [the lessons you teach them] and if you just listen to the police, that they will be respectful and it will work itself out. And [then] you see these videos that continue to come out, and it’s a scary situation that if my son calls me and says that he’s been pulled over that I’m not that confident that things are going to go well and my son is going to return home. And my son just started the sixth grade.”

Still, James said, “standing for the national anthem is something I will do. That’s who I am. That’s what I believe in. But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect and don’t believe in what Colin Kaepernick is doing. You have the right to voice your opinion, stand for your opinion, and he’s doing it in the most peaceful way I’ve ever seen someone do something.”

charles.schilken@latimes.com

Twitter: @chewkiii

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