Florida Gasps as NBA players Criticizes DeSantis Directly

Photo byKeith Allison / Wikimedia Commons

Miami Heat player Udonis Haslem is criticizing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, calling him a disgrace to the state.

Haslem makes his stance clear. No hesitation. He is saying something that many Floridians are thinking.

Haslem did something significant while speaking the truth. In addition to calling attention to DeSantis's actions in Florida, he also utilized his influence to denounce them.

It is not only Harlem, though. There is another NBA player who expressed his disappointment with DeSantis.

Dwyane Wade claimed he left Florida, where he played for the Heat for 13 years, to protect his transgender daughter Zaya.

Haslem and Wade are fighting to bring respect and compassion into the social conversation, some of the core conservative values. However, certain elements of society frown every time a sportsperson speaks about social change.

We have seen few comments from professional athletes in Florida responding to the rapidly changing nature of the state, which, under DeSantis, is quickly turning authoritarian.

Born and raised in Florida

Haslem is entirely qualified to defend his state. He's a true Floridian. He went to high school in Miami and the University of Florida. This is also his 20th season with the Heat.

He can also see what DeSantis is doing to his state, and the list is scary and long, with much of it focusing on race, particularly the denigrating of Black Americans.

DeSantis pushed a bill that stopped state colleges from funding DEI programs. There are book bans, and last year, DeSantis signed another bill with this one banning the teaching of critical race theory in schools.

“I’m confused about what’s the priorities. We’re talking education, and in the midst of all this gun violence going on worldwide, how about we just drop the gun laws and make it easier for them to get guns?” said Haslem.

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