“I failed to appreciate the work of advocates fighting for Asian Americans to be seen and heard” - Jeremy Lin revealed his biggest regret about his rise to stardom

When you hear that a player spent his nine-year NBA career playing for eight different franchises, you might assume that he didn’t have a very successful career. However, that wasn’t the case with Jeremy Lin , whose ‘Linsanity’ era during the 2011-12 campaign with the New York Knicks made him a household name among basketball fans across the United States and even the globe.

Though he signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Houston Rockets after that breakout season, the 6’3” point guard carried one significant regret—and it had nothing to do with his on-court performance.

Lin on his biggest regret

Considering how the former NBA Champ achieved overnight fame and fortune during Linsanity, it’s more convenient to think Lin would reflect fondly on his rapid rise to stardom. However, in reality, Lin holds a major regret from that time.

In a piece for ‘Time,’ published after the tragic shooting on March 16, 2021, in Atlanta, where eight people were killed, including six Asian women, Lin expressed his regret about not using his stardom more effectively to advocate or at least highlight the extensive racial problems faced by the Asian Americans society.

"I didn't do enough when I was ‘Linsanity’ to break down barriers for the next generation. I just wanted to play basketball during that time in 2012 when I was suddenly thrust into the global spotlight with the New York Knicks. I didn't recognize the built-up trauma and the multigenerational, systemic injustices. I failed to appreciate and better support the work of advocates fighting for Asian Americans to be seen and heard," Lin wrote . "It's one of my biggest failures and one of my biggest regrets."

Jeremy on facing discrimination as an Asian American

Although born in California, Lin experienced racial abuse since the moment he stepped foot in the competitive arena. During his appearance on the ‘ Outside the Shot ’ podcast, ‘Linsanity’ recalled how opposing players and fans intentionally hurled slurs like ‘chink’ and ‘chicken fried rice’ during ongoing games during his time at Harvard. He was even asked if he could see the scoreboard with his eyes.

Furthermore, contrary to the expectations that such abuse would cool down when he garnered unprecedented fame in 2012, these slurs got even worse. For example, an ESPN editor published an article with a headline reading ‘chink in the armor.’

Having personally experienced such offensive behavior, Lin wholeheartedly urged the people to fight to end this bias once and for all. Though no longer in the same spotlight, the former Knicks star emphasized the responsibility to create a better future for the next generations.

"If we fight TOGETHER, I truly believe some of our greatest hopes can be realized," Lin concluded. "We owe it to the people who fought before us and the generations that come after us to make this world a better place. History is in our hands."

Related: Carmelo Anthony thinks Jeremy Lin didn't capitalize on Linsanity: "That wasn't part of his makeup"