Several players from the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets were seen wearing "I can't breathe" shirts before their game. This was in response to a confrontation between Eric Garner and a New York Police Department officer.

The players wearing the shirt included Cavaliers stars Lebron James and Kyrie Irving, as well as the Nets' Jarrett Jack, Alan Anderson, Deron Williams, and Kevin Garnett.

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"I can't breathe."

These were the last words of citizen Eric Garner who died in July after a confrontation with a New York Police Department officer. The incident was caught on tape and uploaded to the internet where it went viral.

Needless to say, the occurrence sparked the nation's outrage.

As of now, a source with knowledge on the situation told USA Today Sports' Sam Amick that no players from the NBA who have worn the shirt will be fined. The person took a position of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.

"I think it's really important that we show our respect to the families," said Irving in the locker room before the game.

"More importantly we're in the city where tragedy happened and it's really important to us that we stand up for a cause, especially this one. It hits close to home and means a lot to me."

Two days before the game, Irving decided he wanted to wear the shirt. He contacted former teammate and now Nets player, Jack, and said he wanted a shirt and that he was going to wear it.

Irving also said that wearing the shirt was a personal matter and that everyone has their own emotions towards this and what's going on.

When reporters asked James what kind of message wearing the shirt sent out to the country, he said that he didn't know and it wasn't for them to figure it out.

"This is more of a notion to the family more than anything. As a society we have to do better. We have to be better for one another no matter what race you are. But it's more of a shoutout to the family more than anything because they're the ones who should be getting the energy and effort."

TagsI can't breathe, Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Eric Garner