AUSTIN – Wednesday night, near the end of one of the most remarkable and moving days in American sports history, former Texas Longhorn Ariel Atkins stood with her new basketball family and spoke for nearly two minutes.
During her on-court interview with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe, Atkins never once mentioned Jacob Blake, a Black man who on Aug. 23 was shot in the back seven times in Kenosha, Wisconsin by a police officer. The shooting of Blake, who may be partially paralyzed for life, sparked another series of protests and outcry three months after George Floyd’s death ignited a nationwide social justice movement.
“This isn’t just about basketball,” said Atkins, a Washington Mystics guard who attended UT from 2014-18. “We aren’t just basketball players. And just because we are basketball players doesn’t mean that’s our only platform. We need to understand that when most of us go home we still are Black, in the sense that our families matter. That’s what people need to understand, we’re not just basketball players.
“And if you think we are then don’t watch us, you’re watching the wrong sport because we’re so much more than that. We’re going to say what we need to say and people need to hear that. We need to understand that these moments are so much bigger than us."
Atkins wasn’t the sole Longhorn using her athletic platform in an effort to advocate for change and the education needed to engender a national transformation. Former UT hoops star Tristan Thompson appeared on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" to discuss the players' protest of NBA playoff games – the WNBA, MLB and MLS also postponed games – and a number of current Texas football players used social media to spread a message or seek help.
“I love my skin color but also scored in my skin color,” tweeted sophomore defensive lineman Keondre Coburn.
“When will enough be enough? #JusticeforJacob,” wrote sophomore lineman Daniel Carson.
“When will it end …” asked junior corner Josh Thompson.
Graduate transfer wideout Tarik Black, junior safety Caden Sterns and several other teammates also shared a tweet from Boston College football, which decided Wednesday not to practice” in response to the continuing racial injustices in our country." And Junior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown tweeted out a call to arms, requesting local Austin activists direct message him about any possible “projects to be a part of.”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a number of current Longhorn student-athletes have been so vocal and engaged as protestors and activists continue pursuing the changes that might lead to true equality. Back in June a sizeable contingent of UT football players, coaches and staff members marched to the State Capitol and knelt for nine minutes to honor the memory of Floyd.
This moment right now is a continuation of a movement that has gripped the nation in a profound way.
“I know I matter, we know we matter,” Atkins said. “But I’m tired of telling people that. If you don’t know that, if you don’t think that, if you have a problem with us saying Black Lives Matter you need to check your privilege. Yes, all lives matter – including the Black lives we’re talking about.”
Twitter: @NRmoyle
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August 28, 2020 at 04:06AM
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Current, former Longhorns speak out on Jacob Blake shooting - San Antonio Express-News
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