Dion Waiters Refutes Report On Why He Missed The National Anthem

Dion Waiters' national anthem snafu is the weird Cleveland Cavaliers story that won't go away. It started Wednesday night, when Waiters wasn't on the court before the game during the national anthem in Utah. Wednesday was also the first night Waiters came off the bench for the Cavs. The reason was because of Waiters' observance of Islam, according to what Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com reported:

Turns out, Waiters was just acting in accordance with what he feels his religious beliefs are.

Waiters informed Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is a Muslim and that's the reason he excused himself prior to the national anthem.

"It's because of my religion," Waiters told NEOMG. "That's why I stayed in the locker room."

Waiters says he is rededicating himself more to his Muslim faith. He appears to be in a happier state.

Waiters' rededication to Islam left some stumped on why that would mean he needed to skip the national anthem. Before the Cavs next game against the Nuggest on Friday, Waiters was on the court for the anthem. This morning on Twitter, Waiters called out the original report for being a "lie:"

Huh. It's pretty bold for Waiters to call a report he was directly quoted in a lie. Haynes responded on Twitter this morning with the same quotes Waiters made in the original story. Waiters' play has been largely forgettable this season, although he had his best game of the season Friday. The Cavs are 2-3.

Photo via AP

[ Cleveland.com]