Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri says that the reason he was pushed by a law enforcement officer last year as he tried to join his NBA champions in celebration is because he is Black. Body camera footage obtained this week by CNN, Ujiri is seen attempting to gain access to the court to celebrate with his team but as Ujiri reaches into his jacket to show his all access credentials, Sheriff's Deputy Alan Strickland twice shoves him away, grabbing him by the suit jacket and telling him to "back the f*** off." Ujiri then shoves the officer back.
"The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning its first world championship," Ujiri said in a statement released on Thursday. "It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our organization, for our players, for our city, for our country, and for me personally, given my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA.
"There are some people...