Quinton de Kock: I am sorry but felt my rights were taken away
South African cricketer Quinton de Kock has apologised for pulling out of a match against the West Indies after the team were told to all ‘take the knee.’
He says the directive to players to ‘take the knee’ was announced on Tuesday morning on the way to the game.
Many have lashed out at De Kock's decision, stating that it shows that he is not committed to the fight against racism.
In a statement released on Thursday, De Kock says if this was communicated earlier, he would have had no issue with taking the knee.
"I won't lie, I was shocked that we were told 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 stand. And that is together,"
"For those who don't know, I come from a mixed-race family. My half-sisters are Colored, and my stepmom is Black. For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement," he said
De Kock said he felt his rights were taken away, but has since been briefed on the reason for the decision, which he states he now understands.
"I've been called a lot of things as a cricketer. Doff. Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn't hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply.
"It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife. I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that," he added.
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