In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, All-Star forward Jimmy Butler walked onto the hardwood donning a nameless jersey prior to the start of Saturday's matinee between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets.
Statement made. #BlackLivesMatter@JimmyButler pic.twitter.com/HKT63unwoz
— x - Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 1, 2020
However, before the game, NBA referees instructed Butler to switch into a jersey with a nameplate on it.
After the Heat's 125-105 win, a league spokesperson explained why.
"Displaying no name or message on the back of a player’s jersey was not an option among the social justice messages agreed upon by the players' association and the NBA as modifications to the rules regarding uniforms,” they said, according to the New York Times' Marc Stein.
Butler previously made a request to the NBA to wear a nameless jersey during games, but the league opted against it. The 30-year-wanted to express his belief that he's not any different than "anybody else of color."
Over 30 players reportedly requested to wear jerseys with no nameplates during the season restart.
