Stephen Jackson Shares Text LeBron James Sent Him After His George Floyd Speech

Retired NBA player Stephen Jackson and Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James promised not to let each other down during the ongoing fight for justice following George Floyd's killing while in Minneapolis police custody May 25.

"[James] posted me speaking, and I text him back, I say, 'I appreciate you, bro. I won't let you down,'" Jackson told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears during an Instagram Live session Monday. "He text me back, 'You haven't, and I won't either.' That was deep. I always tell people, [Michael] Jordan might be the best basketball player, but LeBron is the greatest athlete ever. It's bigger than basketball with me why I love LeBron."

Jackson has been a leading voice in the aftermath of Floyd's killing. The latter, a 46-year-old black man, died after former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the back of his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, and an independent autopsy released Monday directly linked Chauvin's actions to Floyd's death:

The 2003 NBA champion was close friends with Floyd, and the two referred to each other as "twin." Jackson has been lauded for his words during a rally in Floyd's honor at Minneapolis City Hall on Friday:

Jackson also stated during his conversation with Spears that his "only purpose is getting justice" (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin).

James has been vocal on social media as well:

Protests have erupted across the country in the wake of Floyd's killing.