Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest is not only planning to change his name to Metta World Peace, but he is also leaving the jersey number 15 for 70. When Artest first joined the Lakers he wore number 37 in memory of Michael Jackson, but he switched to number 15 for the 2010-2011 season.
Although this upcoming NBA campaign is in jeopardy, Artest plans to wear the number 70 to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
“7089 was Martin Luther King’s jail numbers when he was locked up,” Artest said. “It’s about fighting for what’s right. It’s about peace. It’s about sticking together. You see it now. You see a lot of youth sticking together. It’s all about letting them understand to stick together.”
Ron Artest says he will one day have switch his jersey number to 89. This commemoration for Dr. King is just another example of how the “Humanitarian” is paying homage to those above him.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgRdRwNgs9A
