Julian Edelman Responds To Meyers Leonard's Use Of Anti-Semitic Slur

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman has reached out to Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard after footage of Leonard using an anti-Semitic slur during a video game livestream went viral this week.

Edelman, who is Jewish, shared an open letter to Leonard on his social media accounts in which he invited the basketball player to a Shabbat dinner so they could talk.

"I get the sense that you didn't use that word out of hate, more out of ignorance," Edelman wrote. "Most likely, you weren't trying to hurt anyone or even profile Jews in your comment. That's what makes it so destructive. When someone intends to be hateful, it's usually met with great resistance. Casual ignorance is harder to combat and has greater reach, especially when you command great influence. Hate is like a virus. Even accidentally, it can rapidly spread."

Last year, Edelman took similar action after fellow wide receiver DeSean Jackson shared anti-Semetic posts on social media, inviting Jackson to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

Edelman and Jackson ended up communicating after the incident, with the Patriots receiver telling reporters they "stayed in touch" and had "a healthy conversation."

"I just wanted to not only show that I support my community but also show that I'm here to help people in my league, because we're all one," Edelman added.

Leonard will be away from the team indefinitely amid an NBA probe into his use of an anti-Semitic slur during a recent video game live stream, the Heat confirmed in a statement shared on social media Tuesday (March 9) evening.

"The Miami Heat vehemently condemns the use of any form of hate speech," the statement read. "The words used by Meyers Leonard were wrong and we will not tolerate hateful language from anyone associated with our franchise. To hear it from a Miami Heat player is especially disappointing and hurtful to all those who work here, as well as the larger South Florida, Miami Heat and NBA communities.

"Meyers Leonard will be away from the team indefinitely. The Miami Heat will cooperate with the NBA while it conducts its investigation."

A video was shared on social media Tuesday in which Leonard was heard saying: "F---ing cowards; don't f---ing snipe me, you f---ing k--- b----" while playing a video game.

Leonard later apologized for the comments in a post shared on his Instagram account Tuesday night.

"I am deeply sorry for using an anti-Semitic slur during a livestream yesterday," he wrote. "While I didn't know what the word meant at the time, my ignorance about its history and how offensive it is to the Jewish community is absolutely not an excuse and I was just wrong. I am now more aware of its meaning and I am committed to properly seeking out people who can help educate me about this type of hate and how we can fight it.

"I acknowledge and own my mistake and there's no running from something like this that is so hurtful to someone else. This is not a proper representation of who I am and I want to apologize to the Arisons, my teammates, coaches, front office, and everyone associated with the Miami Heat organization, to my family, to our loyal fans and to others in the Jewish community who I have hurt. I promise to do better and know that my future actions will be more powerful than my use of this word."

Leonard could face sanctions from the NBA, which said it was currently "in the process of gathering more information" regarding the incident.

"The NBA unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech," league spokesperson Mike Bass said via ESPN.

The Heat will resume practice on Wednesday following the completion of their All-Star break.

Gaming companies ASTRO Gaming, Origin PC and Scuf Gaming confirmed in statements shared to their social media accounts that they have all ended their relationships with Leonard, an avid gamer, amid the comments, ESPN reports.

Leonard experienced a season-ending shoulder injury in January after appearing in just three games during the 2020-21 NBA season, his second as a member of the Heat.

Miami has a team option on Leonard worth about $10 million for the 2021-22 season, but could instead allow him to enter free agency next summer.

Photo: Getty Images