Athletes Use ESPYS Platform to Call For Change: “Do black lives matter to you when they’re not throwing touchdowns, grabbing rebounds?”

The ESPYS aired Sunday night but the experience is far from the usual. Rather than a red carpet filled with questionable outfit choices, and the Staples Center jam packed with the biggest stars in all of sports, the biggest night in sports was brought to us virtually. 

Even with the virtual format, the powerful moments were felt. 

The award show began with a powerful message from the three hosts. Russell Wilson, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird. 

Wilson, Bird and Rapinoe — all wearing Black Lives Matter shirts — voiced a powerful message of support for the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks.

Wilson began his speech, dedicating it to the earliest activist athletes, naming Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell, Muhammed Ali and ending with Serena Williams. He asked what if we didn’t know their names? What if they simply played their sport and remained silent? 

Our country’s work is not anywhere close to done. We need justice. We need true leadership. We need a change. And we need it now. I look at my children, and I pray for a better future. … The only thing that must die is racism. Black lives matter. So where do we go from here?” Wilson said. “The only thing that must die is racism. Black lives matter. So where do we go from here? … I see a world of hurt, pain, and despair. But I also see a new generation, a generation that is calling out in desperate need for lasting change.

Sue Bird later appeared, calling out all sports fans.

Trust us, we know that sports are important. It’s why we’re gathered here tonight. But do black lives matter to you when they’re not throwing touchdowns, grabbing rebounds, serving aces?”

The three hosts were not the only athletes who used the ESPYS stage to call for change. Eagles safety Malcom Jenkins, Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, WNBA player Diana Taurasi, Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and others took part in a video titled “Black Lives Matter: The time to act is now.”

This wasn’t the first time the ESPYS began with a powerful message calling for change. Four years ago NBA stars LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade opened the ESPYS with a message for Black Lives Matter. That call for action continues today. 

 

 

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