LA Clippers: Marcus Morris chooses social justice message to wear on jersey
LA Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. will wear a social justice message on his jersey.
LA Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. joined the team in Orlando last week in the lead up to the re-start of the 2019-20 NBA season. He will also join various teammates and other players around the league in wearing a social justice message on his jersey in place of his name.
Morris is typically the only player in the NBA to wear “Sr.” on his jersey as a tribute to his son and his pride in being a father. His respect and care for the next generation will continue to show in his social justice message of choice to display on his jersey for the remainder of the season.
“Education Reform.”
Morris recently spoke to The Undefeated in regards to his decision to wear the phrase on the back of his jersey:
"“Black Lives Matter. That’s first. People have lost their lives to senseless cop actions. That is first. I just wanted to do something deeper in the community. I am from that. So, I understand the transition. As a community, we can start there [with education reform] in doing some things.”"
The NBA has announced that the social justice messages will be displayed in place of players’ last names for the first four days of games after the official restart on July 30. After the initial four days, players can choose to continue to display the messages above their jersey number, with their names displayed below. Morris has said he will continue to wear both “Education Reform” and a second message “Equality” past the initial four day period.
“I am going to continue to use it,” Morris said. “Four days, that is nothing. Everybody can tune in every other day and see that. As this message continues to get pushed and gets bigger, I’m just willing to wear it the entire season.”
Morris’s choice to display a message in favor of education reform speaks to the same pride in fatherhood he displays by choosing to be the only player in the NBA to wear “Sr.” on the back of his jersey. He wants the best for future generations, including his son, and is using his voice and platform to spread that message.
He also told reporters that he would be leaving the NBA campus in September so that he can be present for the birth of his second son.
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Clearly, family is important to Marcus Morris, and he makes that clear in his public relationship with his twin brother Markieff, and his actions and words as an ambassador in the NBA.