Sports

25 Athletes Who Speak Out In Their Own Ways

Darren - June 3, 2020
Sports

25 Athletes Who Speak Out In Their Own Ways

Darren - June 3, 2020

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

3. Michael Jordan

It’s rare that Jordan sends out a political message so you know things are bad when he gets to that point. The Chicago Bulls icon famously refused to condemn racists in the past when he said that they buy sneakers too. Furthermore, he’s also notoriously private when it comes to his personal life.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

However, even Jordan has spoken out about the ongoing unrest in the US. He wrote:

“We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

2. Gregg Popovich

One of Trump’s harshest critics, Popovich was unsparing in his words about the President’s handling of the current unrest. First of all,  Popovich called the president a “deranged idiot,” a “fool” and a “destroyer.” In short, he believes that Trump’s response has only heightened tensions.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

“It’s unbelievable,” Popovich told The Nation. “If Trump had a brain, even if it was 99 percent cynical, he would come out and say something to unify people. But he doesn’t care about bringing people together. Even now. That’s how deranged he is. It’s all about him.”

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The NBA’s only six-time MVP and top overall scorer is a noted civil rights activist. He wrote a lengthy op-ed for the Los Angeles Times to speak at length about the treatment of black Americans. First of all, he said that it was wrong to loot and destroy but also it should be remembered black citizens are suffering disproportionately.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

Abdul-Jabbar wrote passionately about police brutality and urged people to ‘rush to justice’ in a strongly-worded message. The former Milwaukee Buck said that racism is like ‘dust in the air’ because you can’t see it until you’re choking on it. Finally, his hope that a traumatized country must recover and learn from this unrest.

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