 |
| Credit: Ja Morant/Facebook |
In a statement obtained by ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday, Morant accepted full responsibility for his behavior, expressing regret for letting down his family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis, and the Grizzlies organization.
He also acknowledged the need to take time away to seek help and work on better methods for dealing with stress and his overall well-being.
The incident occurred after the Grizzlies' defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Friday when Morant started an Instagram Live video showing him shirtless and seemingly holding a handgun while smiling.
The NBA spokesperson Mike Bass released a statement confirming the league's awareness of the social media post and the ongoing investigation.
Similarly, the Memphis Grizzlies team issued a statement announcing that Morant would be away from the team for the next two games, missing the fixtures against the L.A. Clippers and the Lakers on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively.
The incident is not the first time Morant has been involved in altercations. According to a report by The Washington Post, the player was allegedly involved in two separate incidents last summer, including an altercation in the parking lot of a Memphis mall, leading to a police report being filed, and an alleged physical altercation during a pickup basketball game at Morant's house.
However, Morant's agent, Jim Tanner, dismissed these claims as unsubstantiated rumors and gossip designed to damage his client's reputation.
Tanner confirmed that all allegations involving firearms had been fully investigated and could not be corroborated, including a previous NBA investigation that found no evidence.
Related: College Baseball Star Fatally Shot Near Atlanta Campus, Alleged Shooter in Custody
Read Next: Washington Commanders Release Quarterback Carson Wentz After One Season
You can share this post!