While participating in the Phoenix Suns media day Monday, forward Alan Williams was asked directly if he and other Suns players would participate in any protests surrounding the National Anthem before games.
Williams’ take on this controversial subject is especially interesting because he is the son of Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.
The 23-year-old acknowledged the position he will be placed in, whatever he decides, but didn’t say whether he or anyone else on the Suns would participate in any protest.
"My mom being a police officer and me being a young black man in this country, it's definitely a unique situation,” Williams said. “We'll talk about it as a team and figure out what we want to do going forward."
Over the last several months, athletes across the country have knelt, locked arms or lowered their heads during the National Anthem in protest over recent incidents of police brutality.
Suns guard Brandon Knight also discussed the topic, and said he commends San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick for leading the protests. He says Knight has shown courage in trying to bring change to communities.
Williams reiterated that Suns players will discuss it, and come up with something that works for everyone on the team.
Williams is an undrafted player who attended North High School in Arizona and then UC Santa Barbara. He was just recently given a guaranteed contract for the 2016-2017 season after starring in the NBA Summer League with the Suns.
