On Friday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Chris Haynes quoted Cavs SG Dion Waiters claiming he’d blown off the national anthem Wednesday night because of his Muslim faith. On Saturday, Waiters sought ought Haynes to claim there’s been a terrible misunderstanding.
Dion and I had a long conversation on Saturday and we came to the realization that we were thinking two different things.
When I asked if he planned to continue his pregame ritual, I meant did he plan on skipping the national anthem from here on out. He said he was under the impression that I was asking if he would continue his prayer and meditation before games.
Fair enough.
Waiters reiterated that he would be present during the national anthem. He called it a “simple miscommunication” and added that he’s looking forward to moving past this situation.