Drew Steiner
Throughout history, athletes and sports organizations have had a major impact on societal changes. This started decades ago during the 1968 Olympics when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists and has developed over the years into greater platforms and changes in the world. Modern day examples of this include but are not limited to LeBron James speaking on his beliefs, Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the National Anthem, athletes leading Black Lives Matter protests, and the NBA promoting social change through the bubble.
LeBron James, widely known as a legendary professional basketball player, is also known for his work in the community. Over the years, he has donated countless money, opened a school for children, and done other acts of service to the community. One of the more recent examples is during one his All-Star Game press conferences, he spoke openly about his opinions of Former President Trump. In the past, athletes have spoken about political issues before, but not often had someone called out the president of the country. As fans witnessed one of the greatest players of all time criticize the leader of their country, it allowed for more athletes to speak openly about social change, which led into the Spring of 2020.
https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2020/06/05/black-lives-matter-protests-ken-shropshire
In the Spring of 2020, there was much social and political turmoil. Following the death of George Floyd, there were nationwide protests and marches to fight for equality. Many athletes, most notable Stephen Jackson, Malcolm Brogdon, and Coco Gauff, helped to lead these protests and speak out for social change. This led directly into the NBA Bubble, where social movements carried into. In the bubble, the NBA printed “Black Lives Matter” on the court and allowed players to put messages for social change on their uniforms where their last name previously were. This was a major step in promoting equality, as no organization as big as the NBA had done anything like this before. Players additionally decided to kneel during the National Anthem, however, Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac decided to stand. While all of his teammates, coaches, and opponents were kneeling around him, he stood up for the anthem and made a statement. This sent shockwaves through the sports world, yet is contradictory to past events. In the past, fans and media got upset when a player would kneel, yet now they were angry because a player didn’t kneel. Colin Kaepernick sent this wave into motion in 2016 and it has greatly impacted his life.
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick took a knee for the National Anthem in protest of police brutality against black men and women in America. This was groundbreaking as no one had done this before. Since then, Kaepernick has not had another job in the NFL and has essentially been “excommunicated” by the owners of all the teams. Nowadays, most players kneel or raise their fist for the National Anthem, and there is no punishment. In fact, Kaepernick’s teammate Eric Reid knelt with him, yet still had more opportunities to play in the NFL after that. To sum up, many athletes use their platform to promote social change, yet it doesn’t always go to fruition the way they want. When understanding these topics, consider these questions:
- Do you think athletes should speak out on political and social issues like LeBron James did, or do you think they should stick to doing their job?
- How do you think athletes can make their voice heard in the most effective way using media platforms?
- Do you think it’s good for organizations like the NBA and NFL to publish statements about social issues?
- How do you think celebrities can use their platform for the greater good in a society where they are “worshipped”?
- Do you think it’s good that athletes have this large of a platform and influence on society?
Mediated Pop 
First, I really enjoyed your presentation! Second, I believe that athletes have always been leaders on and off the court/field as well as in their communities. It frustrates me when others think that they cannot have a voice when it comes to different issues just because they are professional athletes. Most of the athletes who are voicing their opinions and fighting for change are the ones who are mostly affected from those issues. People often forget that they are also humans and not just people getting paid for entertainment. Once again, I really enjoyed your presentation!
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Hello Drew,
I enjoyed your blog post! You brought up a lot of great points. Since I am not a football fan, I was not entirely in the loop of what had happened with Colin Kaepernick, and your blog post opened my eyes to what was going on. When people argue with athletes speaking out on an issue, whether it is Colin Kaepernick taking a knee or Jonathan Isaac standing up, people seem to only get mad at what they are doing if it goes against a view or opinion they have. It is essential for all athletes to feel comfortable speaking or choosing not to speak on issues that are important to them. I think no athlete should be forced to do something, but if an athlete wants to talk about a problem, they absolutely should. Athletes are such influential people. Athletes are heroes. They are the people whose jerseys we have on our backs or whose statistics we have memorized. When you idolize someone and they speak out on an issue or try to make a change, people listen. Athletes are especially popular with young children who are the future generation that will live in a world caused by the shift caused by the people with power today, such as athletes. I think that athletes can make their voices heard the most by doing interviews or posting videos of them speaking in a non-scripted natural way that can be absorbed and create a lasting impact. We need to create a media culture where it is ok to express your opinions and make an honest, heart felt dialogue where change can be possible.
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Athletes have a right to speak out about whatever they wish. They are also in the position to make an impact due to their following. However, I believe that they should keep their opinions on social media. when they are at work, they represent the team and league. If the league stands for something, then you can speak about your support, otherwise, it should stay to their social media. I understand why the NFL & NBA make statements, but they are in the entertainment industry and should stick to entertainment.
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