Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Is Buying Will Smith’s Apology To Chris Rock As Sincere & Honest

Will Smith caused quite a stir when he slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony earlier this year. Even after Smith recently released a video apology in which he specifically apologized to the comedian, Chris Rock did not directly respond to the actor’s apology. NBA icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar however believed him when Smith apologized for punching the comedian at the Academy Awards.

In a recently posted message, Abdul-Jabbar stated that he doesn’t think Smith is only trying to improve his reputation. He even mentioned that it wasn’t the right way for Smith to behave in that moment. However, Abdul-Jabbar stated that Smith’s most recent apology was sincere and honest.

There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults. I’m going to look at his words and accept that they are sincere and honest. I’m going to believe that after a lengthy period of soul-searching, family rebuilding, and moral prioritizing, he was ready to face a shocked and disapproving world—one that may no longer be rooting for him.

The Hall of Famer said that Smith had his support. Smith took issue with a joke Rock made during the performance about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. He entered the stage and hit Rock. After leaving his seat, Smith later won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance as King Richard.

The 53-year-old was immediately criticized, and Abdul-Jabbar was one of the critics. For ten years, Smith was prohibited from attending any of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ official ceremonies, including the Oscars. He was also involved in projects that were put on indefinite hold. Check out the tweet below.

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