Fifty years ago, Americans John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised black glove covered fists in the air on the medal podium as the anthem played during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
They were stripped of their medals and ordered to leave the Olympic Village.
If ever there was a time and place for an anthem protest by black players, it would have been Monday night.
The Monday Night Football game featuring the 9-1 Kansas City Chiefs and the 9-1 Los Angeles Rams will be must-see TV and will draw one of the season’s largest viewing audiences. Part of the NFL’s International Series, the game was to be played in Mexico City.
Poor field conditions and hints that some players might refuse to play led the NFL to move the game to Los Angeles. The Rams had sacrificed a home game to play in Mexico.
I hope a few players would have seized on this opportunity to raise a fist during the anthem. I hope they still will on Monday night, if only to recognize the courage of Carlos and Williams.
“Look, we’ve just recognized the 50th anniversary of Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ bold protest of raising their fists during the national anthem; yet Colin Kaepernick (was) and other NFL players are protesting several of same issues that Smith and Carlos (were) in the 1960s,” said author and attorney Kaia Wright.
“It’s truly unsettling to know that despite the persistence of systemic racism in this country, to include the recent proliferation of ‘living while black’ incidents, we see fewer and fewer players demonstrating during the anthem.”
St. Louis recently had its own ‘living-while-black” episode when a white woman called the police on a black man for simply trying to enter his own apartment building.
The latest “dying-while-black” fatality happened last week in a Chicago suburb when a black security guard was gunned down by a police officer. The security guard was protecting patrons of a bar by apprehending a suspect that had fired a gun at another man. When police arrived, they saw a black man with a knee in the back of the suspect and holding a gun on him – which he was licensed to carry. The police officer shot the black man as people were screaming “he’s a security officer!!”
Wright’s website, Courage-Under-Fire.com, features media coverage of anthem protests throughout the country at sporting and social events.
“With more than half the 2018 NFL season completed, I’m concerned about the significant reduction in players demonstrating during the anthem,” he said.
“Nike made a bold statement by using Kaepernick in its 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign. While critics were quick to call out Nike’s demise, the company’s stock price – and sales – rose dramatically, generating more than $6 billion since the ad campaign began.
“Nike just introduced a Kaepernick shirt retailing at $50, which sold-out in hours. What this tells me is that Kaepernick has more supporters than the NFL and his haters want to believe.”
Wright, who has served as an Army attorney and resides in Tampa, holds degrees from Hampton University, the University of South Carolina, the University of London and The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center & School.
The time is right, and history is on the side of any player – black or white – who raises a fist during the anthem on Monday night.
Revisiting the MICDS episode
In last week’s Sports Eye, I identified Kenyatta Williams as Parkway North player Jalani Williams mother which is incorrect. She is Vikings’ player Carter Williams mother.
Sylena Williams is Jalani’s mother. A heartfelt apology for the error. After the ordeal, the players were forced to deal with on the field and the aftermath, in which MICDS immediately swept the ugly racial incident under the rug, the last thing these folks needed was me messing up.
A person with knowledge of both teams tells me that the after-game scuffle could have been a misunderstanding. The MICDS coach who was speaking with the Parkway North’s Williams as the game was ending could have been giving him words of encouragement, I’m told.
Several Parkway North coaches did not realize that and became quite upset. Visit YouTube and search “MICDS Parkway North” to view part of the skirmish.
KSDK aired a report last week in which players and parents from Parkway North discuss the racist taunts. A player discussed part of a video which he says shows him pointing at a player that dropped a N-word on him after a tackle and him notifying a referee.
Some black MICDS parents/fans alleged they were called “Trump Lovers” and “Uncle Toms” by Parkway North fans.
MICDS released a statement we ran last week. Parkway North later released a statement, as well.
“We are saddened by the events from (the Nov. 3) game. They have detracted from what would have otherwise been a positive and highly competitive high school playoff football experience.
“Racial slurs and verbal taunts spoken by anyone are extremely disappointing and upsetting because they have no place in athletic events or anywhere in society. Our Viking football team, their parents and the Parkway North community are understandably frustrated, and they are hurting.”
Kenyatta Williams and other Parkway North parents appreciated The American’s effort to tell their story.
“Thank you so much for putting our voice and truth out there. It has to be said,” she said.
Wizards woes
The Washington Wizards stumbled out of block to start the NBA season 4-9, including a 117-109 win over Orlando on Monday night.
Twice this season, St. Louis area native Bradley Beal and his teammates were booed-off their home court after embarrassing losses.
There is talk of trades and firing coach Scott Brooks.
The Wizards have a stretch of home games against sub-.500 teams during the next week that could help turn things around – or lead to major roster changes.
“I don’t think we can afford to look at anybody’s record right now and critique them and whatever their record might be because we’re under .500,” Beal said. “It’s important. We’ve got four more at home during this stretch and we’ve got to get all of them. Definitely one at a time.”
Washington played pitiful 1-11 Cleveland on Wednesday night, and hopefully won.
The Wizards then play Brooklyn, Portland and the L.A. Clippers. Either they start winning or start preparing for a shakeup.
By the way, before the Minnesota Timberwolves traded disgruntled star Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers, there were rumors that Beal could have been dealt for Butler.
If Washington tanks, Beal could certainly still be traded.
Tatum to New Orleans?
Patrick McAvoy of the New England Sports Network is pushing for the Boston Celtics to acquire superstar center Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans “and should be willing to offer a king’s ransom.”
“Any deal between the Celtics and the Pelicans involving Davis will likely include at least one of Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, together with future draft picks,” he said.
The Celtics have also been sluggish to begin the season, posting a 7-6 record after losing 4-of-5 games.
Tatum has been a bright spot, averaging 16.1 points, 2,5 assists and seven rebounds per game. He is topping his per game averages from last year in all three categories.
Sooner or later, New Orleans is going to lose that franchise. St. Louis could be a nice fit and how cool would it be for Tatum to play in his hometown. But that’s a few years down the road. Right now, winning a MLS franchise is on the front burner around here.
The Reid Roundup
MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will be honored at the 2018 Musial Awards at the Stifel Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 17. Named for Hall of Famer Stan Musial, the awards honor some of the greatest moments and individuals who embodied extraordinary sportsmanship and character over the past year and during their respective careers. The 2018 honorees also include MLB Hall of Famer Jim Thome, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, chaplain of Loyola University in Chicago and Jordan Bohannon, an Iowa point guard who intentionally missed a free throw to preserve the record of the late Iowa basketball star Chris Street … Sister Jean got her first national exposure during the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis before Loyola became the darlings of the NCAA Tournament … Jalani Williams is set to announce his school of choice on Friday. It has come down to Missouri or LSU … Teryl Austin has interviewed for several NFL head coaching jobs over the last few offseasons as a leading minority candidate. He learned he had no job on Monday when he was relieved of his duties as Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator … After the New York Jets got bombed at home 41-10 by the lowly Buffalo Bills, head coach Todd Bowles days are numbered and will likely join Hue Jackson as a fired black coach when the season end … Speaking of Jackson, he reportedly is joining the Bengals staff.
Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.
