Jeremiah Rivers is just 26 years old but he seems to have accrued far more wisdom than 80-year-old Donald Sterling. The eldest son of Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers spoke out on Twitter on Saturday as outrage grew over racist remarks attributed to the team's owner.
Jeremiah, who played college basketball at Georgetown and Indiana, referenced his family's reaction to a fire that burned down their home in San Antonio in 1997 in the poignant series of tweets decrying racism. With #BoycottClippers trending on Twitter, he also called on NBA fans not to abandon the team's players and coaches over Sterling's alleged remarks.
People want to #BoycottClippers because of one man? My house has been burned to the ground, animals tortured and burned as well.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
Along with anything we ever loved, and held treasured, because of the color of my dads skin. We lost everything and had to start over.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
Did we hate the collective of people, culture, and race who's skin was responsible for our hardship? No.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
One man, cannot have the power to make me feel hate towards a group, race, or another persons skin color.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
Nor would I allow them to have the power over me to not support the players and coaches that have done nothing wrong.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
Hate the man all you want, show him no mercy if you must. But the players who put on that Jersey do it because the love basketball.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
They want to win for the city of LA, for there families, friends, fans and themselves.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
Racism isn't born, it's taught. It is the refuge of ignorance and seeks to divide and destroy.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014
The clippers need the people, fans, and city of LA more then ever. The team deserves it.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014