NBA stars open ESPYs urging end to gun violence
LOS ANGELES - LeBron James won five trophies, including best male athlete and best NBA player, at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night when frivolity gave way to a James-led call to end gun violence and racial profiling.
WATCH: "We all have to do better." - @KingJames #ESPYS https://t.co/PsqLjsutZg
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 14, 2016
The show honoring the year's best athletes and sports moments opened on a somber note, with James and fellow NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade standing four abreast on stage addressing the recent shootings of blacks by white police officers.
''The urgency to create change is at an all-time high,'' Anthony said.
Paul, the nephew of a police officer, recited the names of several men who have been killed. Wade urged a stop to racial profiling, a shoot-to-kill mentality and ''not seeing the value of black and brown bodies.''
''Enough is enough,'' he said.
James echoed Wade, noting, ''We all feel helpless and frustrated by the violence.''
James urged his fellow pros to educate themselves and renounce violence while using their resources and time to help strengthen and rebuild their communities.
''We all to have do better,'' he said.