Photos: Athletes wearing ‘I can’t breathe’ shirts | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
US
Crime + Justice
More
Crime + Justice
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Crime + Justice

Follow CNN

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • 2025 Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN10
    • CNN Max
    • CNN TV Schedules
  • Listen
    • CNN 5 Things
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • One Thing
    • Tug of War
    • CNN Political Briefing
    • The Axe Files
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • All CNN Audio podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN
U.S.

Athletes wearing ‘I can’t breathe’ shirts

Updated 1:20 PM EST, Thu December 11, 2014
Link Copied!
Members of the Georgetown basketball team wear "I can't breathe" shirts as they stand for the national anthem before a home game Wednesday, December 10, in Washington. The shirt references the words spoken by Eric Garner, a 43-year-old man who died earlier this year after being put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer. After a grand jury decided not to bring criminal charges against the officer, demonstrators across the country <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F04%2Fus%2Fgallery%2Feric-garner-protests%2Findex.html" target="_blank">took to the streets</a> to express their outrage.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Members of the Georgetown basketball team wear "I can't breathe" shirts as they stand for the national anthem before a home game Wednesday, December 10, in Washington. The shirt references the words spoken by Eric Garner, a 43-year-old man who died earlier this year after being put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer. After a grand jury decided not to bring criminal charges against the officer, demonstrators across the country took to the streets to express their outrage.
Nick Wass/AP
Portland Trail Blazers Wesley Matthews, left, and Dorell Wright wear the shirts while warming up for a game in Minneapolis on December 10.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Portland Trail Blazers Wesley Matthews, left, and Dorell Wright wear the shirts while warming up for a game in Minneapolis on December 10.
Ann Heisenfelt/AP
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers wear the shirts before a home game Tuesday, December 9.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers wear the shirts before a home game Tuesday, December 9.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Wearing the shirts from left are Lakers Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, Carlos Boozer, Wayne Ellington and Jeremy Lin.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Wearing the shirts from left are Lakers Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, Carlos Boozer, Wayne Ellington and Jeremy Lin.
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers wears the shirt in New York before playing the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, December 8.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers wears the shirt in New York before playing the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, December 8.
Al Bello/Getty Images
San Diego Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram shows his solidarity with Garner before playing New England on Sunday, December 7.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
San Diego Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram shows his solidarity with Garner before playing New England on Sunday, December 7.
Denis Poroy/AP
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush warms up before a home game on December 7.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush warms up before a home game on December 7.
Rick Osentoski/AP
Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi shows his support for Garner before playing a game in Cleveland on December 7.
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi shows his support for Garner before playing a game in Cleveland on December 7.
Tony Dejak/AP
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose was the first major athlete to wear the shirt, making headlines Saturday, December 6, in Chicago. "I could care less about who else weighs in on this," he said. "Usually athletes tend to stay away from this, but I just felt as if I had to do something."
Athletes wearing 'I can't breathe' shirts —
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose was the first major athlete to wear the shirt, making headlines Saturday, December 6, in Chicago. "I could care less about who else weighs in on this," he said. "Usually athletes tend to stay away from this, but I just felt as if I had to do something."
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Landov

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • 2025 Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN10
    • CNN Max
    • CNN TV Schedules
  • Listen
    • CNN 5 Things
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • One Thing
    • Tug of War
    • CNN Political Briefing
    • The Axe Files
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • All CNN Audio podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

US
Watch Listen Live TV
Follow CNN
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2025 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.