Sixers’ Al Horford says he won’t wear a social-justice phrase on his jersey due to sharing Mike Scott’s sentiment

Horford: “Even thought it’s a great platform for us to promote things, I think that maybe have the ability to kind of say what you would want to say and kind of leave it like that ... "

The Sixers' Al Horford walks walks across the court after practice at the Sixers Training Complex in Camden, N.J., on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer

by Keith Pompey

Published July 12, 2020, 12:27 p.m. ET

Al Horford won’t have a social-justice message on the back of his jersey for the NBA restart at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla.

“I think that that was a good idea initially by the NBA,” the 76ers power forward/center said during a video call with reporters Sunday morning. “Ultimately, I’m not going to have one. I thought back and forth on it a little bit, but I’m not going to have a phrase.”

Horford, who instead will have his name on his jersey, addressed the media before the Sixers’ second consecutive day of practice after arriving in Florida for the 22-team restart on Thursday.

The league decided to allow players to replace their names on the back of their jerseys with social-justice messages. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association agreed to a list that includes: Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Si Se Puede (Yes We Can); See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Liberation; Listen; Listen To Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economic; Education Reform; and Mentor.

Matisse Thybulle will wear ‘Vote’ on the back on his jersey.

Mike Scott called it a bad list. He’s disappointed that players weren’t given a chance to come up with their own phrases.

“I kind of understand and share Mike Scott’s sentiment a little bit,” Horford said. “Even though it’s a great platform for us to promote things, I think that maybe [you should] have the ability to say what you would want to say and leave it like that.

“But at the end of the day, everyone ... makes their own decision. Whatever they feel is right, whatever they want to do.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James announced Saturday that he, too, is keeping his last name on the back of his jersey.