Quinton de Kock withdrew from South Africa’s T20 World Cup match against the West Indies on Tuesday after refusing to kneel; however, the former captain says he is now “more than happy to do so”; De Kock also apologized for the “pain, confusion and anger that I have caused.”
Quinton de Kock says he is “more than happy” to get down on his knees and has insisted he is “not a racist” two days after missing South Africa’s T20 World Cup match against the West Indies for refusing to make the gesture.
De Kock’s decision to withdraw from the game on Tuesday came after Cricket South Africa (CSA) told its players to kneel before the rest of their T20 World Cup matches after they took different stances before his first game against Australia on Saturday.
CSA said its board had unanimously agreed on Monday to “take a coherent and united stance against racism” after concerns were raised that different stances taken by team members in support of the Black Lives Matter initiative “had created a perception involuntary disparity or lack “. to support the initiative “.
But in a statement issued Thursday, De Kock said: “I would like to start by apologizing to my teammates and the fans at home. I never wanted to make this a Quinton problem.”
“I understand the importance of opposing racism, and I also understand the responsibility we have as players to lead by example. If kneeling helps educate others and improves the lives of others, I am more than happy to do so.” so.
“It was not my intention, in any way, to disrespect anyone by not playing the West Indies, especially the West Indies team. Maybe some people don’t understand that they hit us with this on Tuesday morning, on the way. to a game.
“I am deeply sorry for all the pain, confusion and anger that I have caused.”
More to follow …
I would like to start by apologizing to my teammates and the fans of my country. I never wanted to make this a Quinton problem.
I understand the importance of opposing racism and I also understand the responsibility we have as players to lead by example. If getting on my knees helps educate others and improves the lives of others, I am more than happy to do so.
I did not want, in any way, to disrespect anyone by not playing the West Indies, especially the West Indies team. Maybe some people don’t understand that we were hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game.
I am deeply sorry for all the pain, confusion and anger that I have caused. I’ve been quiet about this very important topic until now, but I feel like I have to explain myself a bit.
For those of you who don’t know, I come from a mixed-race family. My stepsisters are colored and my stepmother is black. For me, black life has mattered since I was born, not just because there was an international movement.
The rights and equality of all people are more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights and they are important. I felt my rights had been taken away from me when they told me what to do the way they told us.
Since our talk with the board last night, which was very emotional, I think we all have a better understanding of his intentions as well. I wish it had happened earlier because what happened on match day could have been prevented.
I know I have an example to set. We were previously told that we had a choice to do what we thought we wanted to do. I decided to keep my thoughts to myself and thought about the pride of playing for my family and my country.
I didn’t understand why I had to show it with a gesture when I live, learn, and love people from all walks of life every day. When they tell you what to do, without discussion, I felt that it took away the meaning.
If I was a racist, I could easily have gotten on my knees and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society. Those who have grown up with me and played with me know what kind of person I am.
Many things have called me as a cricketer. Take off. Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn’t hurt. Being called a racist for a misunderstanding hurts me deeply. It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife.
I am not racist. Deep in my heart I know it, and I think those who know me know it.
I know I’m not good with words, but I’ve done my best to explain how sorry I really am for making this about me. It is not.
I’m not going to lie, I was surprised that they told us on the way to an important match that there was an instruction that we had to follow, with a perceived “or else”. I don’t think I was the only one.
We had camps. We had sessions. We had Zoom meetings. We know where we all are. And that’s together. I love each of my teammates and I love nothing more than playing cricket for South Africa.
