Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum shared why it’s ‘even more important’ to recognize MLK Day this year

He praised the NBA for the way it honors Martin Luther King Jr.

Jayson Tatum rises up for a shot as Aaron Holiday contests. Darron Cummings/AP Photo

Jayson Tatum hopes that people take time this MLK Day to appreciate and fully understand the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

“I think this year it’s even more important that we honor that day, that we raise awareness and bring attention to that, just with everything that’s happened, really in the last six-to-12 months,” Tatum said, in a short clip shared by the NBA on Saturday.

The Celtics star said the NBA does a great job spreading King’s messages and remembering both his life and what he stood for. In this turmoil-filled year, with NBA players consistently speaking up on racial injustice, Tatum knows the time to act is now.

Advertisement:

The NBA staggers its games throughout the day every MLK Day so that fans are able to enjoy the action from home. Though the Celtics aren’t playing Monday, and Tatum is currently sidelined after reportedly testing positive for COVID-19, it’s clear the day still carries great weight in his eyes.

Profile image for Trevor Hass

Trevor Hass is a sports producer for Boston.com, where he writes and edits stories about Boston's professional teams, among other tasks.

Get Boston.com's browser alerts:

Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com