A report yesterday said that Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters skipped the national anthem before their game against the Denver Nuggets due to his religious beliefs.
"Waiters informed Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is a Muslim and that he plans to excuse himself prior to the national anthem from here on out," according to the original story.
However, Waiters took to twitter Saturday morning to deny that report:
Lol I wasn't going to even say anything about the situation but whoever made that up about me & the national anthem is a damn lie....
— Dionwaiters3 (@dionwaiters3) November 8, 2014
I can't believe yall believe everything yall hear smh I guess ppl listen to anything now a days!!! I love everything about America!!!!!!!
— Dionwaiters3 (@dionwaiters3) November 8, 2014
Waiters might simply be backtracking because of any criticism he received, but he was quoted about being a Muslim in the original report. It seems unlikely they would just make that up, but Waiters is adamant in denying it.
He was replaced in the starting lineup by Shawn Marion after starting Cleveland's first three games, yet had a big impact on the game in scoring 17 points off the bench in the Cavs' win over the Nuggets.
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