NBA superstar LeBron James defended Goodyear Tires, which is headquartered in his hometown Akron, after President Trump called for a boycott when leaked company training material banned MAGA apparel.
LeBron’s statement
James told reporters Thursday, “Not only has Goodyear been great for my city, for the history of my city, but the country and what they represented. It’s an unbelievable brand, unbelievable history.”
Lakers’ LeBron James on President Trump’s call for Goodyear boycott: “I know my people of Akron and what Goodyear means to our city. One thing about us, we don’t bend, fold or break for nobody. Shout out and salute to all the workers.” pic.twitter.com/7h9MJBYoYF
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 21, 2020
Goodyear training
A slide from Goodyear Tire’s employee training was leaked on Tuesday.
A slide has been leaked from the Goodyear (which loves selling tires to police officers) telling workers what they can and can't support – and it's unbelievable.https://t.co/rv43Rnn7Ag
— LawEnforcementToday (@LawEnforceToday) August 19, 2020
Trump’s response
On Wednesday, President Trump called for a boycott of the brand. “Get better tires for far less!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1296092859226042368
Goodyear replies
An hour later, Goodyear tried to provide some context to the slide.
Yesterday, Goodyear became the focus of a conversation that created some misconceptions about our policies and our company. Goodyear has always wholeheartedly supported both equality and law enforcement and will continue to do so. pic.twitter.com/oO6jUg2rTR
— Goodyear (@goodyear) August 19, 2020
Audio files
Later an audio file revealed the training speaker said this: “If any associate wears all, blue, white lives matter shirts or face coverings, that will be not appropriate.”
CONTROVERSIAL GOODYEAR AUDIO: New audio reveals why Topeka Goodyear said All Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter and MAGA attire are unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/5MNo2EAH3w
— NBC15 News (@nbc15_madison) August 20, 2020
Goodyear’s second statement
The company released another statement that the slide does not represent Goodyear’s official corporate stance, and it was created by an employee to explain acceptable workplace wear. “We have clarified our policy to make it clear associates can express support for law enforcement through apparel at Goodyear facilities.”
A message from Rich Kramer: By now, you are aware of a visual from our Topeka factory that has been circulating in the media. I want to personally clear the record on what you are seeing and hearing. pic.twitter.com/UqqFeFQn6t
— Goodyear (@goodyear) August 20, 2020
The President’s reply
In a press conference, President Trump said the company was playing politics, “there’s something wrong with the top of Goodyear.” He continued on to say he would swap out the tires on his presidential limousine, “based on what I’ve heard.”
Shares of Goodyear have tumbled since the boycott.
https://twitter.com/kcfreightguy/status/1296241888777973760
wpDiscuz
The People that work for ‘goodyear’ can always start wearing MAGA apparel Blue Lives Matter and challenge the management.
They can have Shirts and hat made stating
“My RIGHTS are NOT SUBSERVIENT to anybody elses!
Better to be fired for POLITICAL REASONS than laid off for lack of work.
no you aren’t.
IF you were, you wouldn’t waste time on here.
You made me spit up my beer lol!!
and this is just another example of WHY his parents DID NOT NAME HIM lebrain
It is what they say when no one is looking that really counts, not what they say when they get caught.
LeBron has a hard time spelling Goodyear and of course an idiot like hom would defend a racist company as he is a racist individual!
What do you expect from tall ex garbage men
LeBron needs to remember that if it wasn’t for the white man inventing Basketball he would be flipping burgers!
james is a racist colored boy who will go with anyone for the dembos
F… James,Racist punk
Just remember that Goodyear also owns and makes the following tires as well:
Fulda Tires
Dunlop Tires
SAVA Tires
Kelley Tires
Debica Tires
They also own and Operate JUST TIRES Stores in addition to their own GoodYear Tire Stores as well…..
I quit using Goodyear’s 40 years ago making the switch to Bridgestone and Firestone for my automotive needs, I also did away with the Dunlop Tires that are standard on the Golwwing Motorcycles opting instead for better and longer lasting tires…… There are alternatives, just have to research and shop for them is all.
Hey LeBron……
Go through HOOPS….Outside that, your opinion is SH*T to WE THE PUBLIC….
DON’T MIX, SPORTS & POLITICS…..shut up….
Legend in his own mind! And that is a tiny mind! I am through with the NFL, Nascar, Hockey, African Roundball, Soccer, Olympics, MLB and any other sport that allows disrespect of our flag and our Anthem!
eat sh-t
Drop dead, loser.
Now Lebran James can become spokesman and make another billion dollars to run to the bank with. I personally would not watch a NBA game if the paid me to watch them.I hope they go down the tube just like goodyear. If China was involved in this it would be backed 100 % by people like James.
While they “clarified” their position regarding support for the police, they never allowed reinstatement of the freedom to express their support for Trump. All the while expressing support for BLM, a totally marxist organization (and I am being kind).
He didn’t address the issue, did he?
Bet LeBron got some big bucks to say that!
So long Good Year and all your other divisions. You are hypocritical by saying that Blue lives Matter is bad but its OK for Black lives matter. WELL, UNTIL YOU STAND FOR ALL LIVES MATTER YOU CAN TAKE YOUR TIRES AND SHOVE THEM WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE. NO MORE OF YOU TIRES FOR FAMILY OR FRIENDS. WE ARE SICK OF THIS BS AND WILL NOT STAND FOR IT ANYMORE EVEN IF LB THINKS ITS OK CAUSE WE DON’T CARE WHAT HE SAYS. HE NEEDS TO PLAY BALL NOT POLITICS!