August 28, 2020

ATHLETE’S PROTESTS LEADS TO ON-THE-FLY CHANGES

It started with the Milwaukee Bucks.  

It started with the Milwaukee Bucks most likely because the shooting of 29-year-old African American Jacob Blake occurred 33 miles south from where the Bucks would typically play their home games.
 
Nothing about 2020 has been “typical,” but unfortunately some events have become predictable.    
 
Blake was shot at seven times at point blank range (hit at least four times), in front of his three small children, by an officer with the Kenosha Police Department.  According to CNN, he is paralyzed and currently handcuffed to his hospital bed. 
 
The Bucks decided to boycott playing in their NBA Playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest.   The decision was made shortly before the game.  When the Magic caught word that the Bucks would in essence forfeit the game, handing the Magic a playoff victory, the Orlando Magic joined them in protest.   
 
In the 24 hours to follow, five more NBA playoff games were postponed in protest along with: 
  • 6 WNBA games
  • 2 NHL playoff games
  • 10 Major League Baseball games
  • 5 MLS games
  • 9 NFL teams canceled pre-season practices 
The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, more commonly known as ESPN had a decision to make.  In a matter of hours all programming was out the window.  Covering, highlighting and analyzing professional sports was not an option.  So what did they do?  They talked.  Yes, it was sports, but it was so much bigger.  They talked life, law, liberty, fear and family.  Maria Taylor hosted Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith and Paul Pierce.  They all talked and possibly more important, they also listened.   They played clips of players, and coaches, of a multitude of different backgrounds, but all with a common theme.  They are ready to embrace change.   Kudos to ESPN for their “change” on the fly.  Now for a bigger one.

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