Basketball star LeBron James is on the cover of Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" issue wearing a massive safety pin in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump. James was a high-profile supporter of Hillary Clinton and campaigned with her in his home state of Ohio shortly before the election.
LeBron James wore a safety pin on the cover of 'Sports Illustrated' https://t.co/zdMtInEtds
— TIME (@TIME) December 12, 2016
After Trump was elected, there was a brief effort to bring back the "safety pin" campaign that started after Brexit passed in the United Kingdom. The idea was that those who were against bigotry could wear a safety pin on their clothes as a symbol of their tolerance. The meme was criticized from both the left and from the right.
Reaction to James' safety pin was decidedly mixed:
oh for crying out loud https://t.co/028fxXmacX
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) December 13, 2016
Lebron James is wearing a safety pin in his Sportsperson of the year photo! He's a really awesome ally to have. ???? #resist pic.twitter.com/qBp6I0oKLp
— Faith Hawkwoman (@personalitty) December 16, 2016
So LeBron James wore a safety pin to show support for those triggered by Trump’s election. Good Lord. #dbap pic.twitter.com/xkkf1ladOq
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 13, 2016
Fuck lebron James and his stupid fucking safety pin
— Emily Chaney (@Emily_Chaney) December 16, 2016
Lebron James does whine a lot. - Cleveland Snowflakes? Lebron James Sports Safety Pin on SI Cover https://t.co/rScPYdMJKF
— Johnnye Burnham (@JohnnyeBurnham) December 15, 2016
James was also the 2012 Sportsperson of the Year.