‘F*** Thanksgiving’: NBA star Kyrie Irving apologizes after foul-mouthed holiday rant
Boston Celtics player Kyrie Irving has apologized for saying “f*** Thanksgiving” in an interview after his team’s defeat to the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
Irving was ending his postgame media commitments when a reporter wished him a “Happy Thanksgiving,” on the eve of the much-loved US national holiday.
“I don’t celebrate that s***,” Irving said in response, adding: “F*** Thanksgiving.”
The 26-year-old has now apologized for his remarks, putting them down to frustration at his team’s 117-109 loss in Boston.
“I spoke w/ frustration after last nights game and spoke words that shouldn’t be in a professional setting no matter what,” Irving tweeted on Thursday as Americans were tucking into their turkey.
He added in a follow-up tweet: “Meant no disrespect to the Holiday and those who celebrate it respectfully. I’m grateful for the time We all can share with our families. We are always ONE” – including triangle and eye emojis in an apparent reference to the 'Hamsa Hand' symbol of protection he has as a tattoo.
I spoke w/ frustration after last nights game and spoke words that shouldn’t be in a professional setting no matter what.
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) November 22, 2018
Meant no disrespect to the Holiday and those who celebrate it respectfully. I’m grateful for the time We all can share with our families. We are always ONE. 🔺👁
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) November 22, 2018
Irving’s mother was a descendant of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, which may explain his apparent belligerance toward a celebration initially associated with the Pilgrims.
The player was this year given the name “Little Mountain” at a Lakota ceremony, and also has a tattoo of the tribe’s logo on his neck.
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In December of last year, Irving told a reporter that he doesn’t “necessarily think of Christmas as a holiday” – again after a defeat to the Knicks.
Kyrie, do you consider Christmas a holiday? #Celtics: https://t.co/EAyD36ehfF via @YouTube
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) December 22, 2017
Irving also faced similar scrutiny for off-court comments in 2017 when he suggested the Earth was flat.
He made a light-hearted apology for the statement in October, saying: "To all the science teachers, everybody coming up to me like, `You know I've got to reteach my whole curriculum?' I'm sorry, I apologize."
The Celtics next face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Irving’s mood may have improved by then.
