From the NFL to the NBA to Professional Soccer, from LeBron James to Reggie Bush, athletes join in solidarity and protest: #ICantBreathe
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“They’re just doing what everyone else is doing: Looking at a world where things aren’t right and knowing it’s okay to expect better.“
– GQ Magazine
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The Maryland Terrapins Deon Long, asking “Are we stil *thugs* when you pay to watch us play sports?” #blacklivesmatter
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The Chicago Bulls Derek Rose, in pre-game warm-ups.
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The Cavaliers LeBron James, in pre-game warm-ups. When with the Miami Heat, James had organized the famous team hoody picture, with the caption #WeAreTrayvonMartin
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“Gutted about the result. We shall keep fighting . Thanks for support.My thoughts are with Eric and family and all others affected. #cantbreathe#justice#equality” – Ujah Anthony
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The Cavaliers Kyrie Irving, in pre-game warm-ups.
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“It’s about us standing in solidarity with those of us who know what’s going on.” – Johnson Bademosi
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The Detroit Lions Reggie Bush, in pregame warm-ups.
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What does it all mean? Who cares? GQ put it pretty well:
“Athletes are public figures whose words carry special weight, or at least have the benefit of added visibility. Here, they’re just people like anyone else.
If their behavior comes across as boring or uninspiring, it’s because real work is getting done. Athletes may not be leading the charge—they aren’t putting themselves out there or bearing any burden. They are, however, a good barometer for popular opinion, in much the same way as politicians. And when a formerly controversial, or at least touchy, stance becomes the norm, that’s the definition of change. Provoking change is painful; change itself is transformative, if fleeting; and the changed world is as if nothing else could have been the case. The new status quo is exactly that—a new status quo. When athletes feel zero pressure to camouflage their opinions or stand down on an important topic, we’ve reached a place where, thankfully, the tide has turned and things might start heading in the right direction . . .
They’re just doing what everyone else is doing: Looking at a world where things aren’t right and knowing it’s okay to expect better.”
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Photo Credits: Reggie Bush (Associated Press/Rick Ostentoski), Johnson Bademosi (Associated Press/Tony Dejak), Derrick Rose (Twitter), Kyrie Irving (Twitter), Deon Long (Twitter), Lebron James (Twitter)