On December 23rd, 2020, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they had suspended guard Ja Morant for one game following a post on his social media accounts that showed him holding a gun. The post, which was shared on both Instagram and Twitter, was captioned “Don’t forget where you come from.”
The Grizzlies organization released a statement saying that they “do not condone the message conveyed in the post” and that they “take the responsibility of being role models to our fans, especially our young fans, very seriously.” They also said that they had spoken with Morant and that he “understands the gravity of his mistake and has accepted his suspension.”
Morant, who is in his second season in the NBA, has been a key part of the Grizzlies’ success this season. He is averaging 17.8 points and 7.1 assists per game and has been a key part of the team’s playoff push.
The suspension of Morant has sparked a debate about gun control and the role of athletes as role models. While some argue that the post was simply a reminder of where Morant came from, others argue that it was irresponsible and dangerous for an athlete to post a picture of himself with a gun.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, it is clear that Morant’s post was ill-advised and that he should have been more mindful of the message he was sending. The Grizzlies have made it clear that they take their responsibility as role models seriously and that they will not tolerate any behavior that puts their fans in danger. It is important for athletes to remember that their words and actions have consequences and that they must be held accountable for their mistakes.
