Amazing words & actions: How athletes are stepping up amid protests
Another week without a majority of live sports is in the books. But that doesn't mean the news took a break. Plenty from this week for us to tackle in Good Sports, so let's dive in:
Drew Brees' learning experience
The New Orleans Saints quarterback created a firestorm last week with comments he made while discussing possible protests that might occur during the national anthem this upcoming NFL season. A timeline of his week:
- On Wednesday, Brees said in an interview he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country."
- His comments were viewed as tone-deaf and were criticized by fellow athletes – including teammates – as completely missing the point about what the protests staged during the anthem have been about.
- On Thursday, Brees took to Instagram to apologize.
- Later Thursday, he issued a second apology on Instagram, saying in a video: "I am sorry. And I will do better. And I will be part of the solution. And I am your ally."
- Then on Friday, President Donald Trump said on Twitter that Brees "should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag."
- Later that day, Brees responded to the president with another Instagram post, standing by his apology and seemingly indicating he now realizes the protests were about police brutality and social injustice all along. "I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It has never been," Brees wrote.
Athletes in action
Of course, the reason Brees was asked about possible protests during the anthem was because of the ongoing protests we've seen nationwide following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died May 25 while in police custody. Some of the words and actions we've seen from people in the sports world the past week:
- 'We will not be silenced': NFL players sent a powerful message to the league, challenging it to join the fight against racism.
- Roger Goodell: The NFL commissioner responded to the players' call, saying "We are listening. I am listening."
- Michael Jordan: His Airness and Jordan Brand have committed to donating $100 million over 10 years to social justice organizations.
- Coco Gauff: The burgeoning tennis star delivered a powerful speech at a Black Lives Matter protest.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: The reigning NBA MVP joined several of his Bucks teammates for a march in Milwaukee.
- Denver Broncos: Members of the NFL team, including star Von Miller, spoke at a protest rally and march in downtown Denver.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: The team took a powerful stand with a 2-mile walk to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters.
- Texas Longhorns: Members of the football team staged an emotional walk and rally, taking them from Texas Memorial Stadium to the state capitol building.
- More college football coaches: Dan Wolken on coaches in the south—Mark Stoops at Kentucky, Will Muschamp at South Carolina, Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, Tennessee's Jeremy Pruitt—joining players in protests.
- Anquan Boldin: The former NFL star urged us to fight system.
- Malcolm Brogdon: In an op-ed for Paste BN Sports, the Indiana Pacers standout discussed what we must focus on once the protests fade.
- Larry Fitzgerald: "People and communities are suffering, lives are being lost and futures are being destroyed,” the Cardinals legend wrote in a powerful essay.
- Auburn Tigers: A large portion of the football team, as well as coach Gus Malzahn, joined a Black Lives Matter protest at Toomer's Corner.
- Blake Wheeler: The NHL player had strong words on white players becoming better allies.
- Jim Harbaugh: The Michigan football coach protested police brutality.
- Lincoln Riley: "All lives can't matter until the black lives do too," the Oklahoma football coach said.
- Dak Prescott: The Dallas Cowboys QB said he's "disgusted and unsettled" by George Floyd's death and he pledged $1 million to improve police training.
Why we fell in love with sports
As team sports inch closer to a return, we've been examining what it is about sports that made us fall in love with them in the first place.
- For our Gabe Lacques, Villanova's perfect game that upset Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA final solidified his love.
- For our Scott Gleeson, sports provided an emotional connection to his father – and still does years after his dad's death.
- For reader Beth Rosenberg Sanders, her love of the Cleveland Browns comes from her dad and keeps her close to her late father.
You can read all the stories right here, and we want your stories, too! Email us at usatodaysports@usatoday.com to share the moment or reason that you first fell in love with sports.
The other standout stories from the week that was:
- NBA is back! The NBA's return to play plan has been approved. That puts basketball on the comeback trail, but not everyone's a winner.
- Joey Votto: Reds' superstar vows to wake up to his white privilege, no longer be silent in op-ed.
- MLB ... not so much! Baseball could end up being sport's biggest loser amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- He called me ‘Corky’: A Florida man says he corked baseball bats for Pete Rose in 1984.
- Almost perfect: Armando Galarraga's game 10 years ago was, even if baseball will never call it that.
- James Dolan: The Knicks owner reached a new low by refusing to speak out on George Floyd.
- Wes Unseld: The Basketball Hall of Famer, who died this week at 74, was both remarkably strong and singularly unselfish – in basketball and in his life.
- Johnny Majors: The legendary player and coach, who died at 85 this week, was one of college football's greatest success stories.
- Hockey fan gets own championship ring: Laila Anderson championed her fight against a rare autoimmune disease, so it was only right her favorite hockey team, the St. Louis Blues, honor her in the best way.
Video of the week:
This lil' fella hits a laser to the gap in left-center, but his lil' sis had him scouted perfectly.
The rest of the notable stories from the week:
- In stressful times, black running groups offer support and community.
- Iowa is the first state to resume high school sports.
- Oh-so-close: The top just-missed moments in sports history.
- A longtime USMNT stalwart said President Trump is providing "no leadership."
- The Raiders' top draft pick injured his thigh during a move.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the first soccer player to earn $1 billion in his career.
- Conor McGregor claims he's retiring from fighting (again).
- President Cuban? Mavs owner hired pollster to gauge presidential run last month.
- Nine Georgia Tech programs pledged to make Election Day an off day for athletics.
- LeBron James called out Fox News host Laura Ingraham for defending Drew Brees.
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