As the nation continues to be split on the topics of social injustice and racial equality in America today, the sports world is becoming more and more involved. Obviously, it all started with then-San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick but since that fateful day on which he decided to kneel during the National Anthem, the movement has taken on a life of its own and is sweeping NFL sidelines across the league.
We’ve seen various athletes across all professional leagues speak out on these problematic social issues and that trend continues. All-time great Boston Celtic and 11-time champion Bill Russell is the most recent sports figure to give his two cents on NFL protests and the recent social inequity we’ve seen. Russell took to his Twitter account to post an image in support of those NFL players protesting for their rights:
Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice." #takeaknee #medaloffreedom #NFL #BillRussell #MSNBC pic.twitter.com/1MhinoAcW7
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) September 25, 2017
Bill Russell also discussed the topic in a recent interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, in which he explained his reasoning behind the post:
“What I wanted was to let those guys know I support them. I wanted them to know they are not alone… Just tell those NFL players, I’m with them.”
Russell played professionally during the late 1950’s and through the 1960’s, a time period during which equal rights was pretty much unheard of. Russell is all too familiar with the battle these NFL players are currently facing so for him to voice his support speaks volumes on this issue.
