The Black Lives Matter Protests And The Sports Community

Some of the loudest voices condemning racism and police brutality have come from the sports world. This week on Only A Game, Kenneth Shropshire details how and why athletes are taking a leadership role. Plus, we speak with high school football coach DJ Boldin about his family's tragic experience with police violence — and his recent message for his players. Also, a sports writer's open letter to his white friends. And former MLB All-Star Garry Templeton looks back at a moment when he faced racism from fans.

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Athletes Take A Leading Role In Black Lives Matter Protests
"Because of the huge vacuum that exists in leadership in the White House ... it is a tremendous opportunity," Prof. Ken Shropshire says.

‘To My White Friends’: An Aspiring Sports Writer's Plea For Action
"Is it going to take me lying on the pavement, murdered in cold blood, to motivate you to care?" Reagan Griffin Jr. writes.

For A Florida H.S. Football Coach, Police Brutality Hits Close To Home
In 2015, DJ Boldin's cousin, Corey Jones, was killed by a police officer, who was later sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Charlie Pierce: The Week In Sports
Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce joins others in criticizing the NFL's statement following the killing of George Floyd.

Card Collector Revisits Racist Incident Behind Garry Templeton's 1981 Suspension
Brad Balukjian wanted to meet all the players from one 1986 pack of baseball cards. One had a story that needed retelling.