Waiters didn’t come out for the National Anthem in Utah and when asked about he said this (remember these were exact quotes from Waiters).
“It’s because of my religion. That’s why I stayed in the locker room.”
Waiters was asked about it again after the win in Denver and he said this (once again exact quotes).
“I don’t really want to talk about that,” Waiters said. “It’s my religion. I don’t really want to talk about that. I want to talk about basketball. I’m not being rude, but, you know.”
After the story came out, Waiters went to Twitter and said this.
Lol I wasn't going to even say anything about the situation but whoever made that up about me & the national anthem is a damn lie….
— Dionwaiters3 (@dionwaiters3) November 8, 2014
Calling someone a liar is a pretty strong accusation, so Waiters was asked to clarify today.
“It was a big miscommunication,” Waiters said after Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice Sunday. “Big misunderstanding. I love my country. I love the United States of America. I’d rather be here than any place else. It was just a big misunderstanding on both parts.”
Waiters was asked on Sunday if he ever brought up his Muslim faith to Northeast Ohio Media Group.
“I don’t know,” Waiters said. “I ain’t sure. If I did, I did, but it had nothing to do with the national anthem, whatever the case may be.”
Waiters now says he is deleting his Twitter account.
“I don’t be on Twitter no more. I actually deleted the app a couple weeks ago,” Waiters said. “I had to address that. I had to make sure I addressed that and then I deleted the app again.”
Good luck with all that Cavs.