AP - NBA superstars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade have opened the ESPY Awards with a plea to address racial profiling and end America's spate of gun violence.
They stood on stage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday and took turns commenting on what Anthony called "the realities of the current state of America."
Paul, nephew of a police officer, recited the names of several black men who have been killed, most by guns.
"We all feel helpless and frustrated by the violence," James said.
James urged his fellow professional athletes to return to their communities and invest time and resources in helping rebuild them. He asked them to educate themselves and renounce violence.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"We all have to do better," he said.
The ESPY awards - the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards - are presented annually for American sports achievements.
